By the middle of July last summer Star Valley was very dry with virtually no rain  having fallen since May.  However there has been a major improvement in the Valley water conditions heading into the  coming winter. Last winters snowpack was below normal and with the ground water depleted by the previously very dry summer, much of the snow melt went to recharge the ground water, leading to the current very low levels in reservoir systems of the area.

However beginning the last of  July 2021 much of the area has received beneficial precipitation. Most recently was this past week when up to 2 inches or more was measured over much of the area west of the Salt Range including Star Valley.  These last nearly 3 months have provided a significant recharge of the ground water, which will favor a much improved runoff next Spring provided the winter snows are substantial

As a comparison,  the 3 month period ending October 10th this year at Star Valley Ranch of 8.37 inches  is almost 8  times greater than the same period last year of 1.15 inches. Smoot at the south end of the valley has had 6.24 this year vs 1.27 last year.

A couple of charts covering the last 3 months clearly illustrate the widespread nature of  precipitation since mid July

Total precipitation from July 12 2021 to October 10 2021

 

Percent of normal precipitation July 12 2021 to October 10 2021

 

All of Lincoln County has benefited from the  rains of the past 3 months.