Snowpack Levels Reach Near Average

As California bids farewell to its storm season, the Sierra Nevada mountains have experienced a significant uplift in fresh snowfall, bringing the snowpack to 96% of the typical average for April 1, the date when snow levels usually peak.

A Positive Shift in Water Supplies

This year marks the third consecutive year of solid water supply levels emanating from the mountains, a feat not seen in California for 25 years. Andy Reising, manager of snow surveys and water supply forecasting for the California Department of Water Resources, noted that early concerns about potential dry conditions were alleviated as a series of storms provided essential precipitation in February and March.

Historical Context of Drought Relief

The recent precipitation follows several years of extreme wet weather, including a very snowy 2023 and rainy 2024. Comparatively, last April, the snowpack stood at 111% of average. The ongoing wet conditions have offered a reprieve from the significant drought faced between 2020 and 2022, California’s driest three-year period recorded.

Reservoirs and Water Management

The persistent wet weather has positively impacted California’s reservoirs, which are currently at 117% of average levels. The Metropolitan Water District of Southern California, responsible for water delivery to 19 million residents across six counties, has a record amount of water stored in both reservoirs and underground facilities.

Reising expressed optimism about the reservoir levels during a recent briefing, highlighting that they are above average for this time of year, boding well for the upcoming months.

Water Allocation Updates

With an increased snowpack and recent storms, state water officials recently adjusted their forecasts for water deliveries via the State Water Project aqueducts from 35% to 40% of the requested supplies. Concurrently, the Trump administration elevated water allocations for the Central Valley Project, which serves agricultural and community needs in the San Joaquin Valley. Many receiving agencies are set to receive full allocations, with an increase in supplies for agricultural districts reported.

Environmental Considerations

Despite the current stability in water supplies, experts warn that future dry spells could emerge unexpectedly. Research indicates that droughts in the western U.S. are intensifying due to climate change, with shifting snow lines and altered runoff patterns impacting water availability.

The distribution of snowfall this year has revealed disparities, with Northern California experiencing a more favorable snowpack of 118% of average, contrasting with the lower levels seen in Southern California, where snowpack measures only 84% of average.

Looking Ahead

As California transitions deeper into spring, climate scientists, including UCLA’s Daniel Swain, anticipate drier and warmer weather patterns following the departure of a recent cold system.