 We may be facing another dry spring in many parts of BC, and drought is forecasted to be widespread. Part of the reason is the low snowpack we've seen this winter. So what is a snowpack, and why does it matter? Snowpack refers to how much snow there is in the mountains, but more specifically how much water is stored in that snow. This differs by region, elevation, and time of year, but most of BC relies on the meltwater that comes from mountain snowpacks. When snow melts, it feeds into streams, rivers, and lakes and reservoirs. It also helps keep the soil moist. Many places in BC have seen less snow than average this winter, and mid-winter melt events. Why does it matter? A low snowpack means there will be less water going into rivers, streams, lakes, and reservoirs as the weather warms up. That could affect the water we need to drink, grow our food, and keep fish, animals, and the ecosystem healthy. By monitoring mountain snowpacks, we're able to make sure people and communities are prepared for drought, and learning more about where our water comes from is one of the ways you can help too.