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Snowpack readings show 115% of statewide normal

(Updated: Thursday, February 04, 2010, 12:00 AM)

California Department of Water Resources

Manual and electronic readings on Jan. 29 indicate that water content in California's mountain snowpack is 115% of normal statewide. This time last year, snow water content was 61% of normal statewide.

"The snow survey offers us some cautious optimism as we continue to play catch-up with our statewide water supplies," said Sue Sims, Department of Water Resources chief deputy director. "We are still looking at the real possibility of a fourth dry year. Even if California is blessed with a healthy snowpack, we must learn to always conserve this finite resource so that we have enough water for homes, farms and businesses in 2010 and in the future."

Lake Oroville, the principal storage reservoir for the State Water Project is at 33% of capacity and 50% of average storage for this time of year. Lake Shasta, the principal storage reservoir for the federal Central Valley Project, is at 56% of capacity and 82% of average for the date.

The department's early allocation estimate was that the agency would only be able to deliver 5% of requested water this year, reflecting low storage levels, ongoing drought conditions and environmental restrictions on water deliveries to protect fish species. The agency will recalculate the allocation after current snow survey results and other conditions are evaluated.

Electronic sensor readings show northern Sierra snow water equivalents at 129% of normal for this date, central Sierra at 101%, and southern Sierra at 119%. The sensor readings are posted at http://cdec.water.ca.gov/cgi-progs/snow/DLYSWEQ.

The department estimates that fishery agency restrictions on delta pumping adopted in the past year to protect delta smelt, salmon and other species could reduce annual deliveries of State Water Project water by 30%.

Governor Schwarzenegger has championed a comprehensive water plan that he recently signed into law. The package would safeguard the state's water supply through conservation, more surface and groundwater storage, new investments in the state's aging water infrastructure and improved water conveyance to protect the environment and provide a reliable water supply.

Snow water content is important in determining the coming year's water supply. The measurements help hydrologists prepare water supply forecasts as well as provide others, such as hydroelectric power companies and the recreation industry, with needed data.

Monitoring is coordinated by the Department of Water Resources as part of the multi-agency California Cooperative Snow Surveys Program. Surveyors from more than 50 agencies and utilities visit hundreds of snow measurement locations in California's mountains to gauge the amount of water in the snowpack.