Tag Archive for: snowpack survey

(L to R): California Department of Water Resources staff Angelique Fabbiani-Leon, State Hydrometeorologist; Jordan Thoennes, Water Resources Engineer; and Andy Reising, Snow Surveys and Water Supply Forecasting Unit Manager, conduct the third California snowpack survey of the 2025 season at Phillips Station in the Sierra Nevada. Photo: Xavier Mascareñas, California Department of Water Resources

California Snowpack Helped By Storms, But Averages Continue To Drop

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The California Department of Water Resources (DWR) conducted its third snow survey of the 2025 season on February 28 at Phillips Station in the Sierra Nevada. The survey recorded 34 inches of snow depth and a snow water equivalent of 13.5 inches, which is 58 percent of the average for this location. Statewide, the snowpack is 85 percent of the average for this date.

The snow water equivalent measures the amount of water in the snowpack and is a key component of DWR’s water supply forecast.

Weather Extremes Mark 2025 Season

Snow blankets the meadow where the California Department of Water Resources conducts the third media snow survey of the 2025 season at Phillips Station in the Sierra Nevada, approximately 90 miles east of Sacramento off Highway 50 in El Dorado County. Photo: Xavier Mascareñas, California Department of Water Resources California snowpack

Snow blankets the meadow where the California Department of Water Resources conducts the third media snow survey of the 2025 season at Phillips Station in the Sierra Nevada, approximately 90 miles east of Sacramento off Highway 50 in El Dorado County. Photo: Xavier Mascareñas, California Department of Water Resources

Winter 2025 has been subjected to weather extremes. Powerful storms have interrupted dry and warm conditions, temporarily boosting the snowpack to near normal.

In February, multiple rounds of atmospheric rivers earlier in the month raised the statewide snowpack to 97 percent of average. But dry weather conditions returned, and the snowpack has fallen to 85 percent. Averages will continue to drop without additional snow.

DWR’s electronic readings from 130 stations placed throughout the Sierra Nevada indicate that the statewide snowpack’s snow water sits at 74 percent of the critical April 1 average. This is when the California snowpack usually peaks.

Snow blankets the meadow where the California Department of Water Resources conducts the third media snow survey of the 2025 season at Phillips Station in the Sierra Nevada. The snow survey is held approximately 90 miles east of Sacramento off Highway 50 in El Dorado County.  Photo: Xavier Mascareñas, California Department of Water Resources California snowpack

Snow blankets the meadow where the California Department of Water Resources conducts the third media snow survey of the 2025 season at Phillips Station in the Sierra Nevada. The snow survey is held approximately 90 miles east of Sacramento off Highway 50 in El Dorado County.  Photo: Xavier Mascareñas, California Department of Water Resources

While forecasts show storm activity may pick up in March, it may not be enough for the snowpack to catch up to average by April 1. The southern Sierra Nevada has significantly fallen behind this season, with the region’s snowpack just 70 percent of average.

Regional Differences In Watershed Averages

Puddles from melting snow at Phillips Station in the Sierra Nevada.  Photo: Xavier Mascareñas, California Department of Water Resources

Puddles from melting snow at Phillips Station in the Sierra Nevada.  Photo: Xavier Mascareñas, California Department of Water Resources

“In addition to the large swings in snowpack conditions we’ve seen this year, a big regional disparity remains between the Northern, Central, and Southern Sierra Nevada,” said Andy Reising, manager of DWR’s Snow Surveys and Water Supply Forecasting Unit.

“With so many of this season’s storms missing the southern half of the state, our statewide snowpack average can mask just how below average some regions are,” explained Reising. “Water managers will need to consider not just the extreme swings through the winter and spring months, but also the big differences from watershed to watershed.”

Thanks to efforts to capture as much water as possible, reservoirs across California are currently 118 percent of average.

Snowpack Monitoring Vital Planning Tool

California Department of Water Resources staff Angelique Fabbiani-Leon, left, State Hydrometeorologist, and Andy Reising, Snow Surveys and Water Supply Forecasting Unit Manager, conduct the third media snow survey of the 2025 season at Phillips Station in the Sierra Nevada.  Photo: Nick Shockey, California Department of Water Resources / California Department of Water Resources California snowpack

California Department of Water Resources staff Angelique Fabbiani-Leon, left, State Hydrometeorologist, and Andy Reising, Snow Surveys and Water Supply Forecasting Unit Manager, conduct the third media snow survey of the 2025 season at Phillips Station in the Sierra Nevada.  Photo: Nick Shockey, California Department of Water Resources

Measuring the California snowpack provides vital information to guide how California’s water supplies are managed. The data and measurements collected help inform water supply and snowmelt runoff forecasts, which help water managers, including those in the San Diego region, anticipate how much water will eventually reach state reservoirs in the spring and summer.

This information is also key in calculating State Water Project allocation monthly updates.

On average, the California snowpack supplies about 30 percent of the state’s water needs. Its natural ability to store water is why the snowpack is often referred to as California’s “frozen reservoir.”

Data from DWR snow surveys and forecasts helps determine how DWR and other agencies manage the state’s water resources.

DWR conducts snow surveys at Phillips Station each winter near the first of each month, January through April, and, if necessary, May. The following survey is tentatively scheduled for April 2.

For California’s current hydrological conditions, visit https://cww.water.ca.gov.

 

Members of the California Department of Water Resources Snow Survey team conduct measurements during the second media snow survey of the 2025 season at Phillips Station in the Sierra Nevada.  Photo: Xavier Mascareñas, California Department of Water Resources

Snowpack Dips Well Below Average in Second Snow Survey of Season

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Dry weather in January led to a reduced snowpack in the California Department of Water Resources (DWR) second snow survey of the 2025 season at Phillips Station in the Sierra Nevada.

The snow water equivalent measures the amount of water in the snowpack and is a key component of DWR’s water supply forecast. The snow survey takes place approximately 90 miles east of Sacramento off Highway 50 in El Dorado County. Statewide, the snowpack is 65 percent of the average for this date.

Extremely Dry Conditions in January Put Dent in Early Season Start

(L to R): Anthony Burdock, Water Resources Engineer, Andy Reising, Snow Surveys and Water Supply Forecasting Unit Manager, and Chan Modini, Water Resources Engineer, conducted the second media snow survey of the 2025 season at Phillips Station in the Sierra Nevada on  January 31, 2025. Photo: Xavier Mascareñas, California Department of Water Resources

(L to R): Anthony Burdock, Water Resources Engineer, Andy Reising, Snow Surveys and Water Supply Forecasting Unit Manager, and Chan Modini, Water Resources Engineer, conducted the second media snow survey of the 2025 season at Phillips Station in the Sierra Nevada on  January 31, 2025. Photo: Xavier Mascareñas, California Department of Water Resources

On January 1, the statewide snowpack was 108 percent of average after a series of large storms in November and December boosted snow totals. An excessively dry January has pushed the Northern Sierra back to near average, the Central Sierra to 58 percent of average, and has led the Southern Sierra Nevada to fall to under 50 percent of average.

“Despite a good start to the snowpack in the Northern Sierra in November and December, we can look back as recently as 2013 and 2021 to show how quickly conditions can change for the drier,” said DWR Director Karla Nemeth. “California missed out on critical snow-building storms in January which has pushed the state down below average for this time of year.

“While we are excited to see some storm activity in the coming days, sustained periods of no precipitation can dry the state out very quickly. For each day it’s not snowing or raining, we are not keeping up with what we need.”

Although forecasts show storm activity may pick up this month, large early-season snow totals do not guarantee the state will reach average or above-average water supply totals.

Effective Water Management Keeps Statewide Reservoirs Near or Above Average

A drone view of Loafer Point Stage 2 Boat Ramp and Bidwell Canyon Marina at Lake Oroville in Butte County, California in late December. The water storage was 2,008,215 acre-feet (AF), 59 percent of the total capacity. Photo: Ken James, California Department of Water Resources snow survey

A drone view of Loafer Point Stage 2 Boat Ramp and Bidwell Canyon Marina at Lake Oroville in Butte County, California in late December. The water storage was 2,008,215 acre-feet (AF), 59 percent of the total capacity. Photo: Ken James, California Department of Water Resources

California has effectively managed its reservoirs to keep storage above average for this time of year. Lake Oroville, the State Water Project’s largest reservoir, is currently at 126 percent of average for this time of year. San Luis Reservoir, which is jointly operated by the U.S. Bureau of Reclamation, is at 101 percent of average for this time of year.

Reservoirs in Southern California are also near or above their historical averages.

Measuring California’s snowpack is a key component of managing its water supplies. The data and measurements collected help inform water supply and snowmelt runoff forecasts which help water managers plan for how much water will eventually reach state reservoirs in the spring and summer.

This information is also key in calculating State Water Project allocation forecasts each month.

Despite some recent rain, Southern California, including San Diego County, has still experienced well below-average precipitation in the current water year.

On average, California’s snowpack supplies about 30 percent of California’s water needs. Its natural ability to store water is why California’s snowpack is often referred to as California’s “frozen reservoir.”

The next survey is tentatively scheduled for February 28. For California’s current hydrological conditions, visit https://cww.water.ca.gov

 

 

California Department of Water Resources Snow Surveys and Water Supply Forecasting Unit Manager Andy Reising conducts the first media snow survey of the 2025 season at Phillips Station in the Sierra Nevada. Photo: Nick Shockey, California Department of Water Resources

Sierra Snowpack Near Average In First 2025 Survey

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The California Department of Water Resources (DWR) conducted the first snow survey of the 2025 season on January 2 at Phillips Station in the Sierra Nevada, with positive news about the state’s water supply.

The survey recorded 24 inches of snow depth and a snow water equivalent of nine inches. This is 91 percent of the average at this location. The snow water equivalent measures the amount of water contained in the snowpack and is a key component of DWR’s water supply forecast. Statewide, the snowpack is 108 percent of average to date, compared to 28 percent for the January 2024 survey.

California Department of Water Resources staff members (from right) Andy Reising, Snow Surveys and Water Supply Forecasting Unit Manager, Manon von Kaenel, Water Resources Engineer, Jordan Thoennes, Water Resources Engineer, and Angelique Fabbiani-Leon, State Hydrometeorologist, conduct the first media snow survey of the 2025 season at Phillips Station in the Sierra Nevada. Photo: Nick Shockey, California Department of Water Resources

California Department of Water Resources staff members (from right) Andy Reising, Snow Surveys and Water Supply Forecasting Unit Manager, Manon von Kaenel, Water Resources Engineer, Jordan Thoennes, Water Resources Engineer, and Angelique Fabbiani-Leon, State Hydrometeorologist, conduct the first media snow survey of the 2025 season at Phillips Station in the Sierra Nevada. Photo: Nick Shockey, California Department of Water Resources

In recent years, California has been marked by extremely hot and dry conditions broken up by periods of intense rain and snow, including late 2024 and early 2025. A record-breaking hot and dry summer continued well into the fall, but a powerful atmospheric river in November broke several rainfall records in Northern California. December storms provided another boost.

“While our snowpack looks good now, we have a long way until April, when our water supply picture will be more complete,” said DWR Director Karla Nemeth. “Extreme shifts between dry and wet conditions are continuing this winter, and if the past several years are any indication, anything could happen between now and April, and we need to be prepared.”

Too Early To Predict 2025 Weather Patterns

On average, the Sierra snowpack supplies about 30 percent of California’s statewide water needs. Its natural ability to store water is why the Sierra snowpack is often referred to as California’s “frozen reservoir.” Photo: Nick Shockey, California Department of Water Resources

On average, the Sierra snowpack supplies about 30 percent of California’s statewide water needs. Its natural ability to store water is why the Sierra snowpack is often referred to as California’s “frozen reservoir.” Photo: Nick Shockey, California Department of Water Resources

This weather pattern is not unusual for California. In 2013 and 2022, early storm activity was followed by dry conditions, erasing early-season snow totals and continuing existing drought conditions across the state. It is too early to know whether this condition will occur in 2025.

“We are fortunate to have had several solid snow-producing atmospheric river systems so far this season,” said DWR’s Snow Surveys and Water Supply Forecasting Unit Manager Andy Reising. “The fall was extremely dry, so our healthy snow totals are thanks to a handful of big storm systems in November and late December. But to finish the year where we need to be, we will still need additional snow building at a regular pace throughout the winter.”

On average, the Sierra snowpack supplies about 30 percent of California’s statewide water needs. Its natural ability to store water is why the Sierra snowpack is often referred to as California’s “frozen reservoir.”

San Diego Leadership In Water Supply Management

San Diego County residents can continue to use water wisely including in their low water use landscaping. Photo: Helix Water District

San Diego County residents can continue to use water wisely including in their low water use landscaping. Photo: Helix Water District

For the past decade, San Diego County has been insulated from drought-induced cutbacks due to the long-term investments in secure water supplies, a strategy that emerged in the early 1990s following an economically devastating drought. Since 1990, the region has dramatically cut water demands, reducing per capita water use by more than 50 percent. Water conservation has become a “way of life” for the region’s residents and businesses.

Water Authority Water Resources Specialist Efren Lopez says San Diego County has a reliable supply from the Colorado River and other parts of the state, supplemented by its long-term supply diversification.

“Feel free to irrigate your landscapes, to water your trees and to use water as you need,” said Lopez. “We don’t have any restrictions on water use, and we have very reliable water supplies.”

Lack of Local Precipitation Affects Fire Risk

Winter rains have helped vegetation grow in recent years, providing more fuel for fires. The US Drought Monitor puts all of San Diego County at a moderate drought level. Parts of Imperial County are in severe and extreme drought.

Major reservoirs statewide are currently 121 percent of average thanks to two years of above-average snowpack conditions. DWR prepares for annual extremes by investing in climate resilience to ensure California is able to capture and use as much water during flood conditions as possible.

DWR conducts four media-oriented snow surveys at Phillips Station each winter near the first of each month, January through April and, if necessary, May. The next survey is tentatively scheduled for early February.

Snow Surveys Help Plan Snowmelt Runoff Forecasts

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The California Department of Water Resources May 1 conducted the fifth snow survey of the season at Phillips Station. The manual survey recorded 59 inches of snow depth and a snow water equivalent of 30 inches, which is 241% of average for this location on May 1.

The last time there was measurable snow at the Phillips snow course on May 1 was 2020, when only 1.5 inches of snow and .5 inches of snow water equivalent was measured.

DWR’s electronic readings from 130 snow sensors placed throughout the state indicate the statewide snowpack’s snow water equivalent is 49.2 inches, or 254% of average for May 1.

The snow water equivalent measures the amount of water still contained in the snowpack and is a key component of DWR’s water supply run-off forecast.

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This Year Will Likely Be Critically Dry for California, State Officials Say

/in , , /by /Los Angeles Timesby Erin B. Logan

The winter storms that dumped heavy snow and rain across California early in 2021 are likely not enough to negate what will be a critically dry year, state water officials believe.

California’s Department of Water Resources on Tuesday recorded a snow depth of 56 inches and water content of 21 inches at Phillips Station in the Sierra Nevada. The water content of the overall snowpack was 61% of the average for March 2 and 54% of the average for April 1, when it is historically at its maximum.

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First Snow Survey of the 2020-21 Season Coming December 30

/in , , /by /ABC10 Sacramentoby Monica Woods

California’s first snow survey of the 2020-21 season is happening Dec. 30 at the Phillips snow course in the Sierra Nevada.

The Department of Water Resources will conduct five of these surveys through May by plunging a long steel tube into the snow. This will measure the snow’s depth and give an estimate of its water content.

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Latest Survey of California Snow Pack Measures Below Normal

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The last seasonal survey of snow in the Sierra Nevada confirms that California had a dry winter that will leave much-needed runoff levels below normal, authorities said Thursday.

The snow was only 1 ½ inches deep at the traditional manual measuring site at Phillips Station in the range east of Sacramento, and the water contained in it was equivalent to just a half-inch, which is 3 percent of the May average for the location, according to the state Department of Water Resources.

Sierra snow melt typically provides about 30% of the state’s water supply.

More broadly, 130 electronic snow sensors scattered throughout the Sierras indicated that California’s snow pack water equivalent is 37 percent of the May average.

Readings for April also were well below average.

“March and April storms brought needed snow to the Sierras, with the snow pack reaching its peak on April 9, however those gains were not nearly enough to offset a very dry January and February” and the last two weeks of higher temperatures have rapidly reduced the snow pack, said Sean de Guzman, chief of the department’s Snow Survey and Water Supply Forecast Section.

The snow measurements help in predicting runoff into reservoirs that will help meet California’s water demand in the summer and fall, the water agency said.

At the moment, reservoirs are in good shape, with the six largest close to or even above their historical averages. Lake Shasta, California’s largest surface reservoir, is currently more than 80% full, authorities said.

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