CA Snowpack water content 143 percent of average, say water managers

[The Straight Story]

Snowpack water content 143 percent of average, say water managers


SACRAMENTO, CA - April storms boosted the Sierra snowpack substantially, according to measurements taken in the final snow survey of the season.

The California Department of Water Resources found the water content of the snowpack at 143 percent of normal, which should bode well for the state's depleted reservoirs after three years of drought conditions.

Still, DWR cautioned the State Water Project's largest water storage facility, Lake Oroville reservoir, was just at 59 percent of capacity. At this time, DWR says it will be able to deliver only 30 percent of requested water to cities and farms in the San Joaquin Valley, San Francisco Bay Area, Central Coast and Southern California. However, earlier in April, state water managers said in May they would access the water supply one final time to determine final allocations.

DWR conducts the snow surveys monthly during the snow and rainy season to assess future water availability for residential, commercial and recreational needs as well as fulfill environmental protection mandates.

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