California Water News Daily Your Source For Water News in California
The Department of Water Resources (DWR) released an update on the Sierra Nevada snowpack earlier this week. Electronic readings show its statewide water content is 9.3 inches, 112 percent of average for this time of year.
To see the electronic snowpack readings visit: http://cdec.water.ca.gov/cdecapp/snowapp/sweq.action
Although the snowpack’s water equivalent is slightly above average for late December, DWR’s drought managers say rainfall would have to continue to be much higher than normal to have a significant effect on the drought.
DWR will also conduct this winter’s first manual snow survey for the media on December 30 at Phillips Station off Highway 50 near Sierra-at-Tahoe Road. Dozens of stations will be measured during a 10-day window around January 1 to determine the water content of the snowpack, which normally contributes about 30 percent of California’s water when it melts.
Media need to be aware of road conditions and be prepared to equip vehicles with chains. The survey will begin at 11 a.m. and results will be released by early afternoon.
