4 - Friday, June 2,.1995 ~ North Shore News ack level Conservation key to water availability NORTH! SHORE water sprin- klers will -be sprinkling a lithe while longer at least, given the latest’ watershed — snowpuck measurement, By Anna Marie D'Angelo ‘News Reporter Wednesday's reading of the snowpack for the Seynivur Lake reservoir was 192 em (76 inches) deep with a water equivalent of 1,010 mi (43 inches), Last year at this time it was 198 cm (78 inches) deep with a water output of 1,068 mm (42 inches). “As far as we are concerned we are going to proceed with the pre- sent plan of twice-a-week sprin- kling restrictions,” said Tom Heath, GVRD water planning and opera: ‘tions administrator. . “it should be OK, but it will depend on the weather we get in the next three months,” said Heath. The News travelled by heli- copter with GVRD watershed man- agement workers to measure the snowpack at a point in the water- shed near Orchid Lake. Orchid Lake is a summer water feeder.to the Seymour Lake reser- voir. Orchid is about 8 km north- west of Seymour Lake. The short flight from the Cleveland dam to the snowpack sta- tion travelled over restricted waitcr- shed territory where logging cut- blocks are interspersed near wind- ing logging roads. . .. There didn’t appear to be a Jot of snow. around. - At the snowpack station, protec-. tion officer and forest technologist Wayne Mather and Peter Lough, a snow’ surveyor, took snowpack measurements at 14 locations. The -hilly landscape at the site consists mainly of small pockets of mountain hemlocks, alpine firs and cypress, At first, the watershed workers thought there had been a significant drop. in the snowpack | since fast “month. “The numbers are not too trou- bling when compared to, June levels in recent years. “ About two weeks ago the snow depth at Orchid was 301] em (119 inches) and the water joutput was 1,598 mm (63 inches). ; "You can appreciate that we don't get’ much rain in the water- sheds in June, July and August,” said Mather. “ESS. the majority of inflows (of water into the reservoirs) are from melting snowpack. “©The more snow you have on the ground at the start of the summer ’ season, the better,” he added. ’ The snowpack for the Capilano Reservoir is measured near Palisade Lake, 15 km aorth of Cleveland dam. The snowpack was measured there last on May 1. The snowpack was 279 cm (109 inches) decp with a water output of 1,410 mm (55 inches). The figures were up from last May’s amounts of 192 cm (76 inch- es) depth and a water equivalent of 982 mm (39 inches). Seymour and Capilano lake reservoirs provide the majority of drinking’ water for the Lower Mainland. Heath noted that. Wednesday's snowpack measurement is below average. He acknowledged that that water conservation measures such as lawn sprinkling restrictions have made a - NEWS photo Anna Marie D'Angelo GVRD WATERSHED management workers, Wayne Mather (fore- ground) and Peter Lough, break out the equipment on Wednesday to record the snowpack in the Seymour watershed. difference in summer reservoir lev- els. “Right now our water reserves are where they should be for this time of year and the purpose of the restrictions is to make sure that the water lasts us through the summer,” said Heath. ae SCHOOL aT THE NORTH SHORE WINTER CLUB ¢ Small Class Size ¢ Individual Attention * Experienced Teachers * Computer Technology Mulgrave School is a non-denominational, co-educa- tional, independent school, which fosters individual excellence in the classroom and develops citizens who are compassionate, tolerant, confident and public spir- ited. An enriched academic curriculum is provided, sup- ported by superior extra-curricular athletic, fine arts and community service programmes. SUMMER NUMBERS WATER EQUIVALENTS measured i watershed snow- picks at the beginning of the summer for the past eight years included the following Orchid Lake (Seymour reservoir > June 1) 1988: 1.862 om: 1989: 1.452 mm: 1990: 1,081 mon 1996: 1.3227 mo 1992: 175 mim: 1993: 648 mn 1994: 1,068 nin: 1995; 1,110mm: Palisade Lake (Capilano reservoir - May 1) 1988: 1.644 ini: 1989: 1.454 mm: 1990: 1.173 min: 1991: 1,099 num: 1992: O mm: 1993: S42 mm: 4993, 982 mm: 1995: 1.410 mm; The level of water in the snow- pack indicates how much water will be flowing into local reservoirs during peak summer water usige, Looking for a controversy! READ BOG COLLINS every Wednesday & Sunday. BY GEORGE Begonias For your shady areas Tuberous Begonias, with their large multi coloured flowers make a very . Impressive showing. They bioom. alt summer and well into the Fall. Fertilize weekly with about 1/4 strength solubie fertilizer, keeping the soll moist ‘not soggy. In the late Fall when die hack starts, dig up the Tuberous and fet dry a few days then store in a cool dry location until next Spring when the next growth cycte begins. ; Park Royal South (behind Zellers) 922-5990 ea | Tools and Techniques, Vancouver's most complete store for cooks, is having a sicle walk sale, and we're stirring up the great savings. So, come down before June 20- and wok through our sale selection of cookware, glassware, and specialty items. Tools and Techniques also offers, gourmet cooking classes and demonstrations. Tools and Techniques ltd. The Store For Cooks” 250 - 16th Street - West Vancouver: Tel: (604) 928-1995 Store Hours: Mon-Thurs 9-6 + Fri 9-9 - Sat 9-6 - Sun 12-5 6 If you ever wanted to own a Ducane this is. the time to buy. Prices too good to pass up. .