California Water Officials Report a Good Start in First Snowpack Survey of the Year

The California Department of Water Resources (DWR) released their first snowpack survey of the year on Thursday, finding that the statewide snowpack is currently just above average at 108% in the state. However, California’s reservoirs are at 121% of average.

According to the DWR, California’s total snowpack amount needs to be at 100% by the April 1st snowpack survey in order for California to have enough water throughout the year. While the DWR admitted that being above average in January is a good sign, they also noted that the Phillips Station survey, which is done in El Dorado County in the Sierra Nevada and is considered to be the bellwether snowpack measurement for the state, recorded only 91% snowpack on Thursday. There is currently 24 inches of snow there, roughly the equivalent to nine inches of snow water.

The DWR stressed on Thursday that more snow is needed to combat warmer temperatures when spring comes if the state wants to meet snowpack goals for the third consecutive year. They also noted that, during the drought years of the late 2010’s and early 2020’s, they had had strong January snowpack figures, only for them to erode well below normal because of a lack of snowfall and melting in later months.

“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 on Thursday. “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.”

DWR Snow Surveys and Water Supply Forecasting Unit Manager Andy Reising added that “We are fortunate to have had several solid snow-producing atmospheric river systems so far this season. 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.”

Maintaining snowpack

Officials hope that the 2025 Phillips Station April 1st measurement will avoid the drought year snowpack amounts, including a dismal 38% measured in 2022. While California has not experienced the atmospheric rivers of the previous two years that resulted in a 237% snowpack amount in 2023 and a 113% snowpack amount last year, the DWR is hoping that enough storms form around the La Nina climate effect this year and give California enough precipitation to get to stay at or above the crucial 100% in 3 months time.

The DWR also said Thursday that statewide reservoir levels are at 121% and well above average thanks to the huge storms of the previous 2 years. But they again stressed that the snowpack was needed to maintain these amounts.

“The amount read today is a good start, but that amount can change very quickly,” explained Jack Wesley, a water systems consultant for farms and multi-family homes, to the Globe on Thursday. “Temperatures can get above 32 degrees that high up, especially by April. So we need some more storms to come through. And, right now, it is really up in the air what will happen. Figuratively and literally. California lucked out with those storms coming around in the previous winters, and we just don’t have that this year.

“The DWR is playing it smart. They’re hoping for the best but preparing for the worst. Those high reservoir totals are good and can tide the state over for awhile, but we really need more precipitation now.”

The next DWR snowpack measurement date is set for February 3rd.