This part sets forth Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) policy and procedure for the administration of a cooperative snow survey and water supply forecast program. The program provides agricultural water users and other water management groups in the western states area with water supply forecasts to enable them to plan for efficient water management. The program also provides the public and the scientific community with a data base that can be used to accurately determine the extent of the now resource. The western states area comprises Alaska, Arizona, California (east side of the Sierra Nevada mountain range only), Colorado, Idaho, Montana, Nevada, New Mexico, Oregon, Utah, Washington, and Wyoming.

To carry out the cooperative snow survey and water supply forecast program, NRCS:

(a) Establishes, maintains, and operates manual and automated snow course and related hydro meteorological networks. Planning for such networks is carried out in accordance with OMB Circular A-62.

(b) Determines and provides information on the expected water supply, including seasonal streamflow data. If pertinent and appropriate to the needs of cooperators and not otherwise available to them, may provide necessary interpretative analyses and forecasts required for operation of water-control structures and/or agricultural operations.

(c) On request and to the extent NRCS resources and any required cooperator contributions are available, establishes hydrometeorological stations to cllect and provide data and necessary interpretive analyses to the requesting party. By written agreement NRCS may accept cooperators' funds, materials, equipment, and services for this purpose.

(d) Develops and encourages use of new techniques and improving data collection and processing.

(e) Cooperates with other federal, state, and local agencies, organizations, and Canadian provinces and agencies.

(a) Basic data are currently collected at numerous sites in the western states area. Data sites generally include a snow course where both snow depth and water equivalent of snow are measured. However, special sites may measure only snow depth or water equivalent. Many of these sites also provide related drometeorological data, such as precipitation, temperature, humidity, solar tradiation, and wind.

(b) Water supply forecasts in the western states area are generally made monthly from January through June. Forecasts may be made more frequently for an established need when data are available to NRCS.

(a) Any individual or group who is a significant water user and who would benefit from a water supply forecast may obtain forecasts from NRCS on a regular basis provided data are available to NRCS to develop a forecast at the desired location.

(b) The program collects and interprets data as a service and an aid to agricultural interests, particularly those served by or affiliated with soil, water, and other conservation districts. Information collected by NRCS for these agricutural users is also made available to other Federal, State, and private agencies and to the general public without charge. Cooperator financial contribution is usually required for special measurements or interpretations beyond the scope of the regular program.

Water supply outlook reports prepared by NRCS and its cooperators containing water supply forecasts and basic data are usually issued monthly by each NRCS state office in the western states area for the months of January through June. Other reports jointly issued by NRCS and its cooperators include a fall water supply summary, annual and accumulative summaries of data, and a western states area report covering water supply outlook.

Requests for obtaining water supply forecasts or related assistance may be directed to any NRCS office in the western states areas. NRCS offices are described in part 600 of this chapter.

The forecast user's obligation to the federal government is to give appropriate credit and recognition to NRCS for information furnished. The Federal Government does not assume any responsibility for management decisions the user makes which may be based in whole or part on information provided by NRCS.