Less snow also means low water levels at high lakes

It’s official: Mt. Bachelor is closing for the season on Sunday due to low snow levels. Although the slopes do not look very white any more, skiers and snowboarders were still enjoying them on Tuesday .

“It’s beautiful up there,” said Bend resident Katrina Chaudoir.

“Actually, it’s really good. It’s a little icy on top, but other than that, we still have a lot of snowpack,” said Bend resident Terry O’Connell.

“There is still good coverage up top,” said

Despite all that, officials from Mt. Bachelor made the decision to close two weeks earlier than they were hoping for.

“This was the fourth-lowest snowfall total, but in terms of the how much snow we actually had pile up on the ground, this was the least amount that actually piled up in our recorded history,” said Drew Jackson, the resort’s marketing and communications manager.

“I’m so sad,” Chaudoir said.

As Mt. Bachelor closes its door, another opens up. Cascade Lakes Highway opened up a few days ago — but the low snowpack is already impacting the high lakes.

At Sparks Lake, the water level is already below average.

“We were here last summer, and it’s so much lower, the water,” said Jan Aho, who traveled down from the Columbia Gorge. “I just can’t believe it.”

Sparks Lake is one of the lakes in Central Oregon that is fed through snowmelt. The water levels are so low, the boat ramp ends in just ankle-deep water.

“This is probably the most unusual year,” said Jean Nelson-Dean with the Deschutes National Forest.

So unusual, the Forest Service advises visitors to plan your boating activities early this year, because water levels are only going to get lower from here.

“It’s such a beautiful place, and there are so many lakes all around. It’s a shame,” Aho said.

Mt. Bachelor is closing the season with a bang. Breweries from across Central Oregon are going to be there this weekend for the annual BrewSki Beer Festival.