Mendocino snowpack much improved

Snowpack measurements taken at Anthony Peak in the Mendocino National Forest at the end of March show that snow depth and water content have significantly improved compared to two months earlier, the U.S. Forest Service announced.

The average snowpack measured at the end of the month was 69.1 inches, with water content measuring 24.5 inches.

These measurements are 104 percent of average snowpack and 85 percent of average water content. This compares to 30 percent average snowpack and 27 percent average water content measured at the end of March.

The record low was recorded in 1991 with 4.1 inches of snowpack. The record high was in 1969 with 148.8 inches of snow.

Originally established in 1944, the Anthony Peak snow course provides data for precipitation draining into the Grindstone watershed into Stony Creek and Black Butte Reservoir, ending in the Sacramento River.