 Have you ever wondered how much water is in the snow, or how water in the snow is measured? If so, you will find it interesting to know the USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service, or NRCS, and the Wyoming State Engineers Office, partnered to monitor the snow survey and the water supply of forecasting programs for Wyoming. The monitoring programs include measuring snow depth and the snow water equivalent, as it is more commonly known. Snow water equivalent is the amount of water in the snow pack. Another way to think of SWE is that it is the water left after the snow melts. Knowing the SWE is important when you consider that 75% of water in the western U.S. is derived from snow. SWE data are used to forecast spring and summer stream and river flows. Additionally, municipalities, agricultural producers, recreationists, emergency managers, among others, rely on SWE information to make decisions such as water restrictions, management of irrigation waters, and flood potential. So the next time you're moving snow, think about the snow water equivalent. Would that scoop of snow fill a glass of water? Or how many scoops of snow would it take to cover 10 acres of land with one inch of water? From the University of Wyoming Extension, I'm Wendy Kelly, Exploring the Nature of Wyoming.