Latest Survey Confirms CA Snowpack Ties All-Time Record

CALIFORNIA — The state's continuous stormy weather has officially brought enough snow to not only relieve more than half the state of drought conditions but also to tie a record for the most snowfall set way back in 1952, state water officials confirmed during their fourth snow survey of the year.

This week's manual survey recorded 126.5 inches of snow depth and a snow water equivalent of 54 inches, which was 221 percent of the average at Phillips Station (near Lake Tahoe) for April 3, the California Department of Water Resources announced Monday.

Electronic readings from 130 snow sensors placed throughout the state indicate the statewide snowpack’s snow water equivalent is 61.1 inches, or 237 percent of average for the same date, higher than any other reading since the snow sensor network was established in the mid-1980s, said Sean de Guzman, water supply forecasting unit manager for the DWR.

Manual measurements on “snow courses” date back to 1910 and only the years 1952, 1969 and 1983 showed a statewide result greater than 200 percent of average in April.

The record 1952 measurement was also 237 percent of average, but there were fewer snow courses measured then and the addition of others over the years makes it difficult to compare across decades results with precision, according to de Guzman.

De Guzman said the state is waiting for more survey results to come in from partners including the National Park Service, the U.S. Forest Service and utility companies.

"But as of right now it’s looking like this year’s statewide snowpack will probably, most likely be, either the first or second biggest snowpack on record," said de Guzman, who conducted Monday's manual measurement.

While relief from the drought is well, a relief, now a new set of problems could arise, officials said.

“This year’s severe storms and flooding is the latest example that California’s climate is becoming more extreme,” said Karla Nemeth, director of the Department of Water Resources. “After the driest three years on record and devastating drought impacts to communities across the state, the DWR has rapidly shifted to flood response and forecasting for the upcoming snowmelt. We have provided flood assistance to many communities who just a few months ago were facing severe drought impacts.”

According to the DWR, the size and distribution of this year’s snowpack is posing a severe flood risk to certain areas of the state, especially the Southern San Joaquin Valley.

"DWR’s State-Federal Flood Operations Center (FOC) is supporting emergency response in the Tulare Lake Basin and Lower San Joaquin River by providing flood fight specialists to support ongoing flood response activities and by providing longer-term advanced planning activities," a news release issued by the agency said.

Storms this year have caused impacts across the state including flooding in the community of Pajaro and communities in Sacramento, Tulare, and Merced counties.

Related: Levee Break Triggers Major Flooding, Evacuations Amid CA Storm

California was three years into drought, with dwindling reservoirs and parched landscapes, until an unexpected series of powerful storms including more than a dozen atmospheric rivers began in December.

While causing widespread damage, the storms also built the extraordinary Sierra snowpack, which supplies about a third of California’s water. Reservoir storage statewide is now 107% of average.

"The real challenge as we move into spring and summer though is flooding — significant flooding — particularly in the Tulare Lake Basin," said Nemeth.

The basin once held Tulare Lake, a vast body of water in the Central Valley below the western slope of the Sierra. Settlers began draining it or diverting its water sources in the 19th century, converting it to farmland. The lake has already begun to reemerge due to this year's runoff.

Snowmelt runoff projections will be released next week, but de Guzman predicts records will be broken. That will include “an absurdly high 422% of average” for the Kern River watershed, which drains into the southern end of the Central Valley, he said.

"The FOC has helped Californians by providing over 1.4 million sandbags, over 1 million square feet of plastic sheeting, and over 9,000 feet of reinforcing muscle wall, across the state since January," the DWR said.

On March 24, the DWR announced an increase in the forecasted State Water Project (SWP) deliveries to 75 percent, up from 35 percent announced in February, due to the improvement in the state’s water supplies.

Related: 'Huge Gains' In CA Snowpack Free Half Of State From Drought

Governor Gavin Newsom has also rolled back some drought emergency provisions that are no longer needed due to improved water conditions, while maintaining other measures that continue building up long-term water resilience and that support regions and communities still facing water supply challenges.

The U.S. Drought Monitor is now classifying 55.34 percent of the state as drought free, while 44.66 percent of the state is abnormally dry. Of that 44.66 percent, 28.11 percent is considered to be in moderate drought and only 1.95 percent in severe drought.

The DWR's next snow survey is tentatively scheduled for May 1.

—The Associated Press contributed to this report.