Department of Water Resources Archives - Times of San Diego

Three people in blue jackets conducting fieldwork in a snowy forest clearing with a wooden cabin in the background.

Record March heat leaves California snowpack at just 18% of average

by Chris Jennewein • Times of San Diego April 1, 2026, 3:22 p.m.April 1, 2026, 5:07 p.m.

The Department of Water Resources found no measurable snow during its once-a-month manual survey in the Sierra Nevada.

February snow at Phillips Station

California snowpack grew after February storms, but remains below average

by Chris Jennewein • Times of San Diego Feb. 27, 2026, 2:02 p.m.Feb. 27, 2026, 7:21 p.m.

Two people who appear to be measuring the depth of a recent snowfall.

Tech

Dry January leaves California’s vital snowpack well under average

by Chris Jennewein • Times of San Diego Jan. 30, 2026, 3:00 p.m.Jan. 30, 2026, 3:00 p.m.

Sierra Nevada snow

Tech

California snowpack now at 90% of average, but lags in central and south

by Chris Jennewein • Times of San Diego March 28, 2025, 10:05 p.m.March 29, 2025, 7:11 a.m.

Snow at Phillips Station

Tech

California Snowpack Falls to 65% of Normal After Dry January

by Chris Jennewein • Times of San Diego Jan. 31, 2025, 10:55 p.m.Feb. 1, 2025, 7:24 a.m.

Snow survey

Tech

California’s Vital Snowpack ‘Looks Good’ at First Survey of Winter

by Chris Jennewein • Times of San Diego Jan. 2, 2025, 10:35 p.m.Jan. 3, 2025, 7:49 a.m.

Lake Oroville

Tech

Hot Summer, La Niña Conditions Make for Uncertain California Water Forecast

by Chris Jennewein • Times of San Diego Sept. 26, 2024, 10:54 p.m.Sept. 27, 2024, 7:36 a.m.

Groundwater recharge

Tech

In Hopeful Sign for Ecosystem, California Groundwater Reserves Increase for First Time Since 2019

by Chris Jennewein • Times of San Diego May 7, 2024, 10:30 p.m.May 8, 2024, 6:31 a.m.

Gov. Newsom with snow survey team

Tech

California Snowpack Now 10% Greater Than Average in Final Scheduled Survey

by Chris Jennewein • Times of San Diego April 2, 2024, 11:30 p.m.April 3, 2024, 6:33 a.m.

Snow survey

Tech

California’s Vital Snowpack Rises to 80% of Normal as Another Storm Approaches

by Chris Jennewein • Times of San Diego Feb. 29, 2024, 11:45 p.m.March 1, 2024, 6:58 a.m.

Snow survey

Tech

First Survey of 2024 Finds California’s Vital Snowpack Well Below Average

by Chris Jennewein • Times of San Diego Jan. 2, 2024, 11:00 p.m.Jan. 3, 2024, 6:45 a.m.

Tulare Lake

California Races to Prevent Flooding as Wet Winter Revives Giant Tulare Lake

by Chris Jennewein • Times of San Diego May 23, 2023, 11:30 p.m.May 24, 2023, 6:51 a.m.

Measuring snow level

Tech

California Snowpack at 237% of Normal — Among Highest Levels Since 1950s

by Chris Jennewein • Times of San Diego April 3, 2023, 11:30 p.m.April 4, 2023, 6:51 a.m.

Lake Oroville spillway

Tech

Parade of Storms Leave California With Too Much Water in Reservoirs Too Soon

by Alastair Bland • CalMatters March 11, 2023, 11:30 p.m.March 12, 2023, 7:26 a.m.