2016-17 Water Season Shows Promise

The new water season started on Saturday which means the USDA and other agencies are looking forward to the 2016-17 year.

Water Supply Specialist Scott Pattee said this marks a period of transition.

“The end of September signifies the end of one growing season and the beginning of preparation for another growing season.”

The expectations for the upcoming year will be a more neutral pattern and a more normal weather pattern and snowpack.

With the 2015-16 water season going much better than the previous year, Pattee said that allows for a more typical October and November.

“Normal fall preparations and getting the fall crops in the ground, dryland wheat and stuff like that. Hopefully we’ll start getting some normal fall rains here pretty quick.”

Pattee said he expects most of the snow this winter to fall after the beginning January and that’s the most important precipitation that can make or break the season.

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