header image

[Sign Up Now] to Receive Our FREE Daily SCVTV-SCVNews Digest by E-Mail

Inside
Weather


 
Calendar
Today in
S.C.V. History
April 14
2014 - "Become Ocean" by John Luther Adams (CalArts BFA 1973) named winner of 2014 Pulitzer Prize in Music [story]
John Luther Adams


| Wednesday, Apr 3, 2019
A survey of the Sierra Nevada snowpack, like this one taken in 2017, came up at 162% of normal, assuring ample water supply for Californians in 2019.
A survey of the Sierra Nevada snowpack, like this one taken in 2017, came up at 162% of normal, assuring ample water supply for Californians in 2019.

 

By Matthew Renda

The Sierra Nevada snowpack stands at 162 percent of average, California water managers said on Tuesday following the final measurement of the water year.

The snowpack measurement – which the California Department of Water Resources conducts around the first of each month of winter at the Phillips Station near Lake Tahoe – demonstrates the spectacular shape of California’s water picture.

“With full reservoirs and a dense snowpack, this year is practically a California water supply dream,” department director Karla Nemeth said in a statement.

And the winter fun isn’t done yet: Forecasts call for another atmospheric river to strike the Golden State on Friday.

Atmospheric rivers are large storm systems with high moisture content created in the Pacific Ocean and can mean the difference between a state replete with water and one dogged by persistent drought.

This winter, more than 30 atmospheric rivers marched through California, six in February alone. The state’s snowpack water content has tripled since Feb. 1.

April 1 is considered by water managers to be the most important of all the snowpack measurement dates because it is right before the snow starts to melt, replenishing they system of reservoirs throughout the late spring and into summer.

On average, the melting snowpack meets about 30 percent of California’s water demands annually, including the irrigation needs of farmers in the Central Valley where the soil is fertile but the climate is arid.

The state of the April 1 snowpack will give farmers a good idea of the water allocations they will be allowed in any given year.

Things look promising for the coming summer.

The state’s six largest reservoirs are all sitting at 100 percent of their historical average, with the largest – Lake Shasta – at 109 percent of historical average and 89 percent of capacity.

Still, officials caution the oversized snowpack does carry some dangers, including the prospect of flooding, should melting occur too quickly.

“With great water supply benefits comes some risk,” said Jon Ericson, the Department of Water Resources chief of the flood management division. “Based on snowpack numbers, we have the potential for some minor flooding due to melting snow so we remind folks to always stay vigilant and aware.”

The glut of storms has made California drought-free for the first time since 2011, the year before a historic five-year drought engulfed the state.

Precipitation has not been restricted to California either. The American West, in general, has received an infusion of much-needed precipitation this winter.

The Colorado River Basin, which has suffered from precipitation shortages for nearly 20 years, saw a wetter-than-average winter.

While 55 percent of the American West was in drought in December 2018, that number had dwindled to 25 Colorado River Basin by March, according to the latest climate report produced by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration.

The snowpack in the Rocky Mountains and other regions in the West are also healthy, averaging 120 percent of average or more in some sections. The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration’s forecast outlook calls for continued above-average precipitation for Colorado, Utah and Wyoming, meaning the outlook for the Colorado River and reservoirs like Lake Powell and Lake Mead is more improvement.

But eastern Oregon and the Four Corners region where New Mexico, Arizona, Colorado and Utah intersect continue to be plagued by dry weather and are all categorized by the U.S. Drought Monitor as in a long-term drought.

Comment On This Story
COMMENT POLICY: We welcome comments from individuals and businesses. All comments are moderated. Comments are subject to rejection if they are vulgar, combative, or in poor taste.
REAL NAMES ONLY: All posters must use their real individual or business name. This applies equally to Twitter account holders who use a nickname.

0 Comments

You can be the first one to leave a comment.

Leave a Comment


SCV NewsBreak
Current Time 0:00
/
Duration Time 0:00
Loaded: 0%
Progress: 0%
Stream TypeLIVE
Remaining Time -0:00
 
1x
LOCAL NEWS HEADLINES
Friday, Apr 11, 2025
April 19: Hop into Spring at Eggstravaganza
The city of Santa Clarita invites families to Eggstravaganza, a free, community event at Central Park on Saturday, April 19, from 10 a.m. to noon.
Friday, Apr 11, 2025
Schiavo Introduces Package of Tax Relief, Consumer Protection Bills
Assemblywoman Pilar Schiavo (D-Chatsworth), has announced a package of bills focused on affordability, tax relief, consumer protections and lowering costs.
Thursday, Apr 10, 2025
April 12: Hurricane Harbor Hiring Lifeguards for Summer Season
Six Flags Magic Mountain Hurricane Harbor is hiring lifeguards for the 2025 season and will host a hiring event, 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Saturday, April 12.
Keep Up With Our Facebook

Latest Additions to SCVNews.com
2014 - "Become Ocean" by John Luther Adams (CalArts BFA 1973) named winner of 2014 Pulitzer Prize in Music [story]
John Luther Adams
1935 - Gladys Carter convicted of manslaughter in fatal shooting of Frances Walker, of the Placerita Walkers [story]
Gladys Carter
1738 - Fr. Francisco Garcés born in Spain; came through SCV in 1776, found Tataviam fighting with Coastal Chumash, observed Santa Clara River flowing by night and dry by day despite the season being spring [story]
Garces statue
The Santa Clarita Planning Commission will hold its regular meeting on Tuesday, April 15, at 6 p.m., in City Hall Council Chambers. The commission will hear a request from BluMax Santa Clarita, LLC on amendments to the MetroWalk Specific Plan to expand the housing types allowed and to delay or eliminate the requirement for affordable senior housing.
April 15: Planning Commission to Hear Request to Delay/Eliminate Senior Housing
Be a part of key governance reform changes coming to Los Angeles County. An independent study is underway to identify strengths and challenges of the county’s current governance model.
April 17: County Governance Reform ‘Listening Session’ at COC
The city of Santa Clarita invites families to Eggstravaganza, a free, community event at Central Park on Saturday, April 19, from 10 a.m. to noon.
April 19: Hop into Spring at Eggstravaganza
Providence Holy Cross Medical Center has announced the largest gift in its 64-year history, a transformative $16 million donation from the estate of Julian and Gladys Saunders.
Providence Holy Cross Receives Record $16M Gift to Enhance Trauma Care
The dark, ashy sediment appearing on Los Angeles-area beaches does not appear to contain chemicals related to wildfires at levels that are dangerous to human health.
Dark Sediment on Beaches Does Not Pose Risk to Human Health
A Mother's Day Eve Evening of Enchantment and Magic wine pairing dinner at Le Chene French Cuisine will be held Saturday, May 10, beginning at 6:30 p.m.
May 10: Le Chene Offers Special Mother’s Day Eve Show
Assemblywoman Pilar Schiavo (D-Chatsworth), has announced a package of bills focused on affordability, tax relief, consumer protections and lowering costs.
Schiavo Introduces Package of Tax Relief, Consumer Protection Bills
1987 - Ramona Chapel and Red Schoolhouse relocated to Santa Clarita History Center in Hart Park [story]
Red Schoolhouse
Six Flags Magic Mountain Hurricane Harbor is hiring lifeguards for the 2025 season and will host a hiring event, 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Saturday, April 12.
April 12: Hurricane Harbor Hiring Lifeguards for Summer Season
The Latino Business Alliance will host a Cinco de Mayo Networking Celebration, Thursday, May 1 5:30-7:30 p.m. at Las Originales Bar and Grill.
May 1: Latino Business Alliance ‘Cinco de Mayo Networking Celebration’
Join the Santa Clarita Valley Chamber of Commerce for a Grand Opening Ribbon Cutting at Sanaya Beauty, Wednesday, April 30 at 4 p.m.
April 30: Sanaya Beauty Studio Grand Opening
The unmistakable sights, sounds and flavors of the Old West are making their way back to William S. Hart Park, 24151 Newhall Ave., Newhall, CA 91321 and you do not have to wait long.
Laurene Weste | Where the West Comes to Life: The 29th Annual Cowboy Festival
Visit the Santa Clarita Public Library Valencia branch, 10-11 a.m. Monday, April 14 for a paws-itively delightful new program, "Paws to Connect: Adults and Animals."
April 14: ‘Paws to Connect’ at Valencia Library
Special Needs Athletes and Peers Sports will host its Food and Wine Tasting with Salt Creek Grille Fundraiser and Blues Music event, 6:30-8:30 p.m. Thursday, May 8.
May 8: SNAP Sports Food, Wine Tasting Fundraiser at Salt Creek
College of the Canyons will host Howard Fisher's Cougar Basketball Camp, with registration for two sessions now open to boys and girls entering third through eighth grade.
June 16-19, 23-26: Howard Fisher’s Cougar Basketball Camp
The College of the Canyons women's volleyball program invites girls and boys ages 8-14 to participate in the 2025 COC Summer Volleyball Camp, with two sessions beginning in July.
July 21-24, 28-31: COC Volleyball Summer Camp
The Valley Industry Association will host a luncheon Friday, April 18, on the topic of "An Innovative California Community for the 21st Century."
April 18: Valencia by FivePoint VIA Luncheon
College of the Canyons women's basketball will host the 2025 Cougar Pride Team Camp June 27-28 at Lee Smelser Court in the Cougar Cage.
June 27-28: Women’s Basketball to Host 2025 Cougar Pride Team Camp
SCV Water Agency will hold its next regular board meeting on Tuesday, April 15.
April 15: Regular Meeting of SCV Water Board
1909 - Oil Pioneer Wallace L. Hardison killed in collision with train [story]
Wallace Hardison
In its efforts to prevent distracted driving and save lives on our roads, the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department is reminding all drivers to stay focused, keep their eyes forward and keep their hands on the wheel.
LASD Reminds Drivers: Eyes Forward Focused Driving Saves Lives
SCVNews.com