With 1.55” of gauge catch early this week (possibly more as snowfall SWE measurements were higher) has conditions back to near normal for the first time since last fall’s drought.  Much of that precipitation is still in the form of snowpack as conditions have remained very cold this week.  The Pascoag Reservoir is still frozen solid as it has been since early January.  The ice surface is very rough from the snow/rain/freeze cycle so not a lot of skaters but the occasional ATV and ice fishers are still heading out.  Hiking trails at Sprague Farm and Douglas Forest are getting a lot of use but are extremely icy.  Ice cleats are a must right now.  With the recent snow, we are seeing lots of deer tracks in the woods this week.  Sadly, we also saw a deer carcass on the ice on Pascoag Reservoir that had obviously been attacked by coyotes.  Winter birds like woodpeckers, sparrows, blue jays and cardinals were very active this week after the storms cleared.  George Washington state park still posts fire danger as Low.