The eastern foothills of the Cascades are relatively arid as the zone falls within a rain shadow. Wetlands and streams on the East side are largely fed by waters, whether via surface flow or elevated groundwater, that begin as mountain snowpack. According to the SNOTEL station at Pigtail Peak near White Pass, snowpack depth is slightly below the 30-year average. That said, in Selah I documented 15.7 inches in December – the most I’ve witnessed since 2006. I lot of winter is left and who knows what the remainder will bring?
In the meantime, I plan on observing “frozen wetland water” from the vantage point of my skis.