Snowpack Promises Optimistic Fishing Outlook

Put new line on your fishing reels this is shaping up to be one of the better fishing seasons in the past 15 years. Storms in early December saturated the soil, especially in central Arizona. Those storms also resulted in much-needed snowpack in the high country and unexpected winter runoff into the desert reservoir systems. That set the stage for the early January storms, which dumped more snow and rain into the watersheds. The runoff was terrific. The Salt and Verde Rivers surged to spring-like levels and provided significant amounts of water into the reservoir systems. The timing is near perfect. In 2005, the state experienced a record runoff year that resulted in a tremendous sport-fish spawn, especially at places like Roosevelt Lake. Those sport-fish that spawned in 2005 are now three years old. Fisheries Chief Kirk Young said that a three-year-old largemouth bass should be between 15-17 inches (2-3 pounds or more). "Those big bass are not only exciting to catch, they are prime reproducers as well. We are expecting a terrific spawn this year at our top-of-the-line reservoirs like Roosevelt." These are exciting times for anglers thanks to exceptional runoff and superb snowpack for a change. The torrential storm tearing through Arizona in late January not only dumped copious amounts of rainfall, the rain also melted some of the mid-elevation snow cover, with some dramatic results. Arizona's major interior rivers were roaring with nutrient-laden runoff. The Salt River on Jan. 28 surged to around 80,000 cfs, which has only happened eight times during the last 100 years (three times the Salt has peaked over 100,000 cfs). Roosevelt dramatically rose around 11 feet vertically in a handful of days. By Jan. 29, Roosevelt had risen to 72 percent. According to Charlie Ester at Salt River Project, Roosevelt has a decent chance to fill this year for the first time ever. Roosevelt almost filled in 2005, but was three feet shy of max. "We've got a good shot at filling it up this year, we'll just have to wait and see. Just one more good storm and we could be there," Ester said. Charley said that for runoff, it was the perfect storm. The rain melted all the mid-elevation snow -- that typically doesn't contribute to the spring runoff and turned it into runoff this time. Whether Rosey fills or just comes close to it, this highly productive top-of-the-line fishery on the Salt River is poised for greatness. It will absolutely rise back into all the dense vegetation that hasn't seen water since 2005. Plus, all those sport-fish from the tremendous spawn in 2005 are now three years old, and are ready to be prime reproducers themselves. By the way, those fish should average around 3 pounds or more right now. According to the Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS), as of January 15, 2008, Salt River basin snowpack levels had improved since the last report issued on January 1, ranging from 104 percent to 144 percent of average. As a result of these conditions, water users could expect normal to above normal surface water supplies this spring unless current weather patterns shifted. In-state reservoir storage levels in the Salt and Verde Basins were above average. During the same period, above median stream flow levels were forecast for the Salt River basin. In the Salt River, near Roosevelt, the forecast called for 127 % of median streamflow through May, while at Tonto Creek, the forecast called for 113% of median streamflow through May. Snow survey measurements showed the Salt Basin snowpack to be 126% of average. According the latest NRCS report, as of February 1, 2008, well above median streamflow levels are forecast for the Salt River basin. In the Salt River, near Roosevelt, the forecast calls for 172% of median streamflow through May, while at Tonto Creek, the forecast calls for 260% of median streamflow through May. Snow survey measurements show the Salt snowpack to be 133% of average. Statewide, the January 1 snowpack measured 93-percent of the 30-year average, compared with 38-percent a year ago. The Salt River and San Francisco-Upper Gila River Basins had slightly above normal snow levels for this time of year, but the Verde River and Little Colorado River Basins were below normal for January 1. On January 1, the combined Salt River Project (SRP) system was at 60 percent of capacity with 1,389,399 acre-feet in storage. The SRP system covers the Verde and Salt River watersheds and includes six reservoirs; Horseshoe and Bartlett, both on the Verde River, and Roosevelt, Apache,Canyon, and Saguaro, all on the Salt River. At San Carlos, reservoir storage stands at 177,800 acre-feet, or nearly 20 percent of capacity. On January 23, Roosevelt was 61 percent full. At that point, it was likely that based on the existing snowpack, Roosevelt was expected to rise to around 78-80 percent of capacity during the runoff this spring. NRCS makes snow measurements throughout the winter to forecast and track the state's surface water supplies for the coming year. As a result of these snow measurements, an Arizona Basin Outlook Report is developed and issued every two weeks beginning January 1 through April 1. The report is used by farmers, ranchers, municipal water suppliers, and other water users to help manage limited water supplies. The snow survey season began January 1, when the NRCS, U.S. Forest Service, National Park Service, and the Navajo Nation began manual measurements of snow depth and snow water content at 23 snow courses across northern and eastern Arizona. The same locations are measured each year, for over 50-years in some locations. Data on snow water content, total precipitation and air temperature are also collected daily from Arizona's 15 SNOTEL (snow telemetry) sites. The data collected by the SNOTEL system is transmitted by radio signals, which bounce off meteor trails 50 miles above the earth. "It's a reliable system for reaching over high mountains and relaying data over great distances to master data collection stations located in Ogden, UT and Boise, ID." said DeSimone. The NRCS and its cooperative snow surveyors have been measuring snowpacks and estimating spring runoff in Arizona since 1935.