The Department of Water Resources says this year’s snowpack is “likely 1st or 2nd largest” in over 70 years. In the DWR’s fourth snow survey of the year, Survey Manager Sean DeGuzman said at the Sierra Central Snow Lab in Soda Springs that the snowpack depth is 10.5 feet with a water content of 54 inches. That results in over 220% of the April Average. He went on to add that records dating back to the early 1900s this year makes the top three years where the April snowpack was over 200% of average. Those years were 1952, 1969, and 1983.
With the significant snowpack, the DWR is warning of the dangers of severe flooding from the melt-off, predicting record-breaking spring melt, especially in the Tulare Lake region, estimated to be 265% to upwards of over 400% on average. Tulare Lake was drained from the landscape decades ago for farming, producing most of the nation’s supply of almonds, pistachios, milk, and fruit. Carla Nemeth, DWR Director, says the region will be in for the long haul with significant challenges, with long-duration flooding in the central valley impacting the region’s farming capabilities.
Nemeth concluded that more must be done to store water as California’s weather whiplash has become a reality.
The DWR plans to return to the Sierrea Central Snow lab for a fifth survey next month.
