New Mexico Snow Survey

NRCS's Snow Survey and Water Supply Forecasting program monitors seasonal snowpack and annual mountain precipitation and uses the data collected to provide streamflow forecasts. These forecasts help water managers make informed management decisions and curtail water supply issues before they occur. The data collected by the program are also used by recreationists, climate and snow researchers, and reservoir operators.

In New Mexico there are 29 Active Snow Telemetry sites. These are automated data collection sites which collect real time snow, precipitation, air temperature and soil moisture information and transmit these data by satellite. In addition, several manual snow surveys are conducted each winter month throughout the state These manual snow courses require staff to physically travel to each site to collect data. Data collection occurs typically each month from December to May.