Thus far this has been a really good year, but not a record breaker. The last snow survey will be this week. Here's the latest release from water resources:
DWR's Fourth Snow Survey
of 2010-2011 Season Set for Next Week
SACRAMENTO -- The Department of Water Resources (DWR) will conduct its
fourth manual snow survey, Wednesday, March 30, at 11 a.m. near Echo Summit
off Highway 50.
"We are looking at a good water supply year as we prepare for this summer's peak
demand period," said DWR Director Mark Cowin. "This is great news so long as we
can control floodwaters. Our up-and-down cycles -- drought followed by flood
threats -- remind us that assuring an adequate water supply in California is always a
juggling act, and we can't afford to forget the lessons of conservation even in brief
periods of plenty."
Today's electronic readings from sensors up and down California's mountain ranges
indicate that snowpack water content is 159 percent of the April 1, full season
average. April 1 is when snowpack water content normally is at its peak before the
spring and summer runoff.
Following six dry weeks in January and February, a series of storms has been
sweeping across the state, with wet weather expected to continue through this
weekend.
Manual surveys are conducted up and down the state's mountain ranges on or
about the first of the month from January to May. The manual surveys supplement
and check the accuracy of real-time electronic readings as the snowpack builds,
then melts in spring and summer.
