GSL Slip Renters and Marina Users.

WOW!  I mean WOW!

What a water year!  We are only nine days into April and we already have had more moisture now than we usually get for ALL of April.

Snowpack yesterday exceeded 150% and is still climbing.

We have been averaging 136% precipitation each month for this water year.

Lake level today is 4196.2 for a net increase of 2.6’

Ground water is SATURATED!

Ground wells (Aquifers) are nearly full (80 to 100%)

Snowpack is 151%

Direct Precipitation is 109% for the water year and 86% for the whole year.  We have exceeded our water year goal by 1.19” and we still have most of April and all of May to go.

As of yesterday we are at 153% of direct precipitation for the water year to date.  That is the equivalent of water up to July 22^nd.

As you can see we are at, or well above where we need to be for all elements that make for a great water year.  And we have many more storms on the way.

I don’t even know where the lake will top out at.  But my last model for maximum lake level shows a height just shy of 4199’ (or one foot below normal).  We haven’t seen that since 2001.

Statistically we are above the 1983 moisture stats.  And the lake came up 4’ that year and 5’ the next.

The best I can guess for a maximum lake level this year is a range between 4197.8 and 4198.6 with us topping out sometime late June to early July.

Personally I’m leaning towards 4198.2.  Could we see a 4199?  Unlikely.  But with this year who knows anymore.  It depends when the spigot stops (or when the sunspots stop falling on the ground).

Again, that puts us back to where we were late summer 2001 long before any of us started worrying about the lake level.

I am likely going to pull the “Deep Channel” buoys sometime mid to late May.  By then there will be enough water for all vessels to use the Reef Channel.  The Deep Channel buoys need to come out for a long overdue servicing.  Please continue to use the Reef Channel all summer.  Do not attempt to sail over the main body of the reef.  There are still some shallow spots.

And for those of you that are normally on ‘B’ dock but are on other docks, you should be able to go back home in the next week or two.

Ironically the sailing season could be as short as last year.  But this year, instead of it being due to a shallow mouth, it is due to all the storms and cold weather.

It’ all about the sunspots!

Dave Shearer

Harbormaster

Great Salt Lake State Marina

801-250-1898