The California Department of Water Resources’ monthly snow survey on Friday showed accumulation at 90% of average, with storms forecast to bring more precipitation next week.
The department performed the traditional manual survey at Phillips Station in the Sierra Nevada, and released the automated measurements for the entire state.
Officials said the April measurement is a critical marker for the water supply, as it is typically when the snowpack reaches its maximum volume and begins to melt, making it’s way into California’s rivers and reservoirs. The snowpack typically provides 30% of the state’s water.
“It’s great news that our state’s snowpack has recovered from several weeks of extremely dry conditions in the heart of our winter storm season,” said DWR Director Karla Nemeth.
“However, it’s not a wet year across the entire Sierra Nevada,” she cautioned. “The north has great snowpack, but snowpack is less than average in the central and southern part of the mountain range. That snowpack ultimately flows to the Delta, and the regional disparity affects how much water the State Water Project will be able to deliver.”
Earlier this week, the department announced another increase in allocations from the Water Project, boosting plans to 40% of requested water supplies from 35% last month.
“Despite periods of extremely dry conditions this season, water managers have been able to effectively capture, move, and store water for use later this year while also maintaining flood protection,” Nemeth explained.
Thanks to efforts to capture as much water as possible from storms in November and December, reservoirs are currently at 115% of average.
The Water Project, a series of reservoirs and aqueducts spanning the state, provides water to 27 million Californians and 750,000 acres of farmland.
