SACRAMENTO, Calif. (KSEE/KGPE) – The snowpack at Phillips Station, south of Lake Tahoe, is at 177% of the common, based on the Division of Water Assets (DWR). That consequence was a part of the third snow survey of the season that happened on Friday, displaying 116.5 inches of snow depth and a snow water equal of 41.5 inches recorded.
Officers say that whereas winter storms have helped the snowpack and reservoirs, many rural areas are nonetheless experiencing water provide challenges – particularly communities that depend on groundwater provides which have been depleted as a result of extended drought, based on officers.
“It should additionally take multiple good 12 months to start restoration of the state’s groundwater basins,” mentioned DWR Director Karla Nemeth.
The substantial snowpack comes after Governor Newsom issued an Government Order directing state businesses to evaluate and supply suggestions on the state’s drought response actions by the tip of April, together with the potential for terminating particular emergency provisions which are not wanted, as soon as there’s better readability concerning the hydrologic circumstances this 12 months.
Regardless of state officers describing the snowpack as above-average, they warn that the snowpack varies significantly by area. The Southern Sierra snowpack is presently 209% of its April 1 common and the Central Sierra is at 175% of its April 1 common. Nevertheless, the essential Northern Sierra, the place the state’s largest floor water reservoirs are positioned, is at 136% p.c of its April 1 common.
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“The latest storms over the previous week broke a month-long dry spell in a dramatic approach,” mentioned DWR’s Snow Surveys and Water Provide Forecasting Unit Supervisor Sean de Guzman. “We’re hopeful that we are going to see extra chilly storms so as to add to our snowpack for the subsequent month and assist arrange a protracted, sluggish soften interval into spring.”
Officers say Californians ought to nonetheless proceed to make use of water correctly. The DWR encourages Californians to go to SaveOurWater.com for water-saving suggestions and data as extra swings between moist and dry circumstances will proceed sooner or later.
