The Abridged version:
- The Department of Water Resources’ first snow survey of the season showed a below-average snowpack.
- Reservoirs that serve the Sacramento region are at above-average capacity.
- End of December storms brought much-needed relief, following a winter that has been warmer and dryer than normal for much of California, and dominated by fog in the Sacramento area.
- Still, the fate of the water supply will depend on conditions throughout the remaining winter months.
Drought concerns may be temporarily shelved.
The California Department of Water Resources conducted its first snow survey of the season Tuesday. It found that late December storms brought much-needed relief to the state’s water supply.
“It’s great to see so much fresh snow in the Sierra following a relatively dry December,” Karla Nemeth, the department’s director said in a statement. “More than any other factor, the rain and snow that falls in these critical winter months dictates how much water can be delivered to Californians and farmland statewide.”
End of year storms boost water supply
Staff recorded 24 inches of snow depth at Phillips Station in El Dorado County. Snowpack levels statewide on Tuesday, Dec. 30, were about 71% of the average for that date.
The recent storm-fueled boost was “welcome news” to water managers, according to the department’s press release. The about-face followed what had been a warmer and dryer December for much of the state (and near-constant foggy conditions for the Sacramento region).
Water supply levels have also been buoyed by prior years’ above-average numbers.
As of midnight Tuesday, the water supply was above average in almost all major state reservoirs, including those serving the Sacramento region.
- Folsom Lake measured at 56% of its capacity
- Lake Oroville measured at 69% of its capacity
- Shasta Lake measured at 72% of its capacity
Water supply still depends on the remaining winter months
Rainy weather is forecast for the Sacramento area starting New Year’s Eve and lasting through at least Monday.
Rain and snow are expected in the South Lake Tahoe area over the next seven days, with a winter storm watch Friday through Saturday night, according to the National Weather Service.
Much of the Sacramento region is at above-average annual precipitation levels as of Monday, according to California Water Watch.
“While California is in a better position now, it is still early in the season,” said Angelique Fabbiani-Leon, State Hydrometerologist for the Department of Water Resources, “and our state’s water supply for this year will ultimately depend on a continued cadence of storms throughout winter and early spring.”
The department will conduct additional snow surveys around the first of the month in February, March, April and, if needed, May.
Savannah Kuchar is a reporter covering education. She came to Sacramento to be a part of the Abridged team and contribute to a crucial local news source.