Sierra Snowpack Rocks With 200% Of Average Water Content Measured

PHILLIPS, CA -- The result of 30 atmospheric rivers slamming California this winter measured up to the hype, with what might have been the last survey of the season in the Sierra Nevada mountains Tuesday coming in at 200 percent of average in snow water content.

Even as state Department of Water Resources engineers sampled the snowpack , the snow-and-rain mix hit the South Lake Tahoe region 12 miles from where the manual survey took place. DWR recorded 106.5 inches of snow depth and a snow water equivalent of 51 inches.

"It is abnormal. Usually our April survey is nice and sunny," DWR spokesman Chris Orrock told Patch. The team was pummeled with sleet to the point "we could barely see" during Tuesday's survey in which engineers and the media trekked out to the middle of the field at the base of the Sierra-at-Tahoe ski resort turnoff from U.S. Highway 50. The resort experienced a February that shattered the its record of 154 inches, with nearly 100 more for last that month.

This month, the Sierra Nevada statewide snowpack is 162 percent of average -- a huge departure from a few years ago when California was coming out of a severe four-year drought and then Gov. Jerry Brown stood on grass during the survey.

Orrock called the reading the fourth best historically for the state.

What a difference a few years makes. Six atmospheric rivers pummeled the West in February alone, water officials indicated. Since Feb. 1, the statewide snow water content has nearly tripled. This snow water equivalent is the depth of water that theoretically would result if the entire snowpack melted instantaneously. With feet of snow piled up in the mountains, one would not necessarily hope for such a fate this year. In fact, water officials have expressed concern over flooding issues -- but only if the mercury rises at an unusual rate.

Orrock said water officials are keeping an eye on conditions.

The measurement is critical to making water supply allocations to farmers tied to the State and Central Valley water projects as well as water districts such as the Santa Clara Valley Water District. During the drought, the district created a water conservation mandate that it hopes to continue with when the spigot dries up.

"This robust snowpack means Santa Clara County will receive more than sufficient imported water allocations this year. Snowmelt from the Sierra Nevada is a critical water lifeline for Californians. For Santa Clara County, imported water makes up 55 percent of our water supply," district board Chairwoman Linda LeZotte told Patch.

Although the abundant water is welcome news, the district isn't backing off of encouraging conservation. The Silicon Valley water users uses 19 percent less water than in 2013.

"It could be years before we see the same amount of snowfall and rainfall. A record drought taught us that conservation must be a way of life in California. We encourage everyone to continue their diligent water saving efforts," she added.

The Sierra Nevada snowpack provides 30 percent of California's water needs as it thaws and flows downstream into the state's reservoirs and streams.

“With full reservoirs and a dense snowpack, this year is practically a California water supply dream,” DWR Director Karla Nemeth said. “However, we know our long-term water supply reliability cannot rely on annual snowpack alone. It will take an all-of-the-above approach to build resiliency for the future.”

The April results are a key indicator for the rest of the year’s water supply. The snowpack’s water content typically peaks around April 1, after which the sun’s higher position in the sky begins to accelerate snow melt.

The state’s largest six reservoirs currently hold between 106 percent at Oroville in Butte County and 132 percent at Melones east of Stockton of their historical averages for this date. Lake Shasta, California’s largest surface reservoir, is 109 percent of its historical average and sits at 89 percent of capacity.

DWR conducts up to five snow surveys each winter – near the first of January, February, March, April and, if necessary, May. Orrock confirmed the snow survey engineers will add on next month at the Phillips snow course.

If the spring continues on its wet path, the Sierra Nevada may see a record measurement in May.

Phillips is one of hundreds that is surveyed manually throughout the winter. Manual measurements augment the electronic readings from about 100 snow indicators in the Sierra Nevada that provide a current snapshot of the water content in the snowpack.

See also

• Giant Feb. Storms Match 2017 Record Snowpack At 153% Of Average