California Reaches 113% Snowpack Level On Critical April 1st Measurment

The California Department of Water Resources (DWR) announced that the April 1st snow survey at Phillips Station, widely regarded as the most crucial snow measuring day of the year as it records peak snowpack, was at 113% of average snowpack at the location, with statewide averages coming even higher at 110% of average snowpack.

The latest report comes on the heels of last year, where, despite many scientists predicting another drought year, a near record amount of rain and snow fell across the state. A number of atmospheric river storm evens in the early months of 2023 ended up causing reservoirs across the state to be filled. According to last years April 1st now survey at Phillips Station in El Dorado County high in the Sierras, snowpack was at 221% of the yearly average. The statewide amount did even better, reaching 237% of the average.

Water wound up being secure for the entire year statewide. The state didn’t restrict any water usage, some ski resorts lasted all the way into August from all the snow, and by November the entire state had become drought free for the first time in years. Worries over a dry 2024 were also quickly assuaged by yet another winter of multiple bands of rain coming in.

While water experts were concerned that enough rain and snow hadn’t fallen to meet the crucial 100% snowpack by April 1st, encouraging signs were there. In early March, snowpack levels were nearing 100%, with reservoirs across the state being topped off, and in many cases, having to release excess water. On Tuesday, the official Phillips Station measurement by DWR officials found that the state had, for the second year in a row, exceeded snowpack expectations, with the Station reaching 113% snowpack and the state getting to 110% snowpack.

“It’s great news that the snowpack was able to catch up in March from a dry start this year. This water year shows once again how our climate is shifting, and how we can swing from dry to wet conditions within a season,” said DWR Director Karla Nemeth in a statement on Tuesday. “These swings make it crucial to maintain conservation while managing the runoff. Variable climate conditions could result in less water runoff into our reservoirs. 100 percent snowpack does not mean 100 percent runoff. Capturing and storing what we can in wetter years for drier times remains a key priority.”

LIVE NOW: Governor @GavinNewsom joins @CA_DWR April snow survey. https://t.co/rjkeDvYpFf

— California Governor (@CAgovernor) April 2, 2024

However, state officials noted that water preservation measures should still be taken into account in case the weather swings back towards drought conditions as it has before.

“California has had two years of relatively positive water conditions, but that is no reason to let our guard down now,” said Dr. Michael Anderson, State Climatologist with DWR. “With three record-setting multi-year droughts in the last 15 years and warmer temperatures, a well above average snowpack is needed to reach average runoff. The wild swings from dry to wet that make up today’s water years make it important to maintain conservation while managing the runoff we do receive. Our water years moving forward will see more extreme dry times interrupted by very wet periods like we saw this winter.”

Unusually, Governor Gavin Newsom attended the Phillips Station measurement. While celebrating the above average snowpack level, Newsom also used the event to unveil his latest water plan, which includes more ways to capture and store water for future drought years.

“In the past few years alone, we’ve gone from extreme drought to some of the most intense rain and snow seasons on record – showcasing the need for us to constantly adapt to how we manage our water supplies,” added Newsom. “The water plans and strategies we’re implementing are each targeted components of our overall effort to deliver clean water to Californians by capturing, storing, and conserving more water throughout the state. This plan is a critical component of that effort.”

Water experts told the Globe on Tuesday that, despite talk of future droughts, the new snowpack level would once again keep California healthy for another year.

“As long as we don’t open, like, 100 new waterparks in California this year, we’ll be fine,” explained Jack Wesley, a water systems consultant for farms and multi-family homes. “We’ve become more careful with the water supply, we’ve had several years of wet weather, and we are securing future water needs more and more. This above 100% snowpack is all around really good news.”

A rare May snowpack measurement is likely to come early next month.