California Department of Water Resources says snowpack at near-historic low: Reservoir levels healthy following dry winter

Based on measurements from more than 260 locations throughout the Sierra Nevada, the statewide snowpack stands at just 18% of average — larger only than the 2015 measurement of .5% of average, according to Andy Reising, manager of DWR’s Snow Survey and Water Supply Forecasting Unit.

“The snowpack typically reaches its peak around April 1,” Reising said. “Some years that peak happens a bit earlier or a bit later, but this year we saw a significant departure from that historical norm.”

Reising said that six of the lowest April 1 snowpacks on record have occurred since 2007 and the snowmelt this March looked more like something that would typically happen in late April or even May.

That’s because until Tuesday, March was an extremely and unusually dry month, dominated by high temperatures throughout the state that broke records and melted the snowpack long before expected.

DWR Director Karla Nemeth said the year has been dominated by two meteorological challenges — most of the state’s precipitation arrived as rain instead of snow, which lasts longer on the ground and is considered a sort of natural reservoir, and an extremely warm March.

“And it’s the combination of rain and limited snow and warmer temperatures in March that are setting us up for what will be a challenging year for water management in the state,” Nemeth said.

On average, California’s snowpack accounts for about 30% of the state’s water supply.

The good news, she said, is that reservoirs are mostly full, and DWR data shows the four largest — Oroville, Trinity, New Melones and Shasta — are all above their historic average levels for this time of year.

So while the state hasn’t yet descended into drought conditions, another dry winter could push California and the entire western United States over the edge.

“We will know with, I think more clarity, next year if this year is in fact the start of a hydrologic drought in California and throughout the West,” Nemeth said.

She also said that with the close of the state’s traditional rainy season, water managers don’t expect reservoir levels to increase much since most of the snowpack is already gone.

She also hinted that some areas might see water use restrictions based on local conditions and supply availability.

“Depending on where you live, you may have set days in which to water your lawn or water your landscaping,” Nemeth said. “You need to pay attention to that and be mindful of things like car washing. And we’re not, again, we’re not in a hydrologic drought, but the supplies that we have are all we have, and what we save today will be a very important hedge against the potential for a dry next year.”

Locally, officials with the East Bay Municipal Utility District said water supplies for their system, which serves almost 1.5 million people in Alameda and Contra Costa counties, are still looking good.

“EBMUD’s total system storage is 85% full (up 1% from just yesterday), reflecting 105% of average storage for this time of year,” spokesperson Nelsy Rodriguez said in an email. “Currently, we project to stay out of drought territory this year. That’s great news.”

South Bay residents also won’t face any kind of water use restrictions this year but are being asked to focus on mindful water use and conservation, said Aaron Baker, chief operating officer for Valley Water’s Water Utility Division, which serves 2 million people in Santa Clara County.

Valley Water gets about half of its supply from imported sources like the federal Central Valley Project and DWR’s State Water Project and has already seen its allocations cut as a result of the dry winter.

“We see this as a warning sign,” Baker said. “This year we’ll be doing fine but we have our eyes on next year. Next year is going to need to be a productive year to get us back our average allocation.”

Valley Water customers are encouraged to take advantage of the agency’s outdoor water-use evaluation program, which can help people save water and lower their water bills.

More information about the program can be found at valleywater.org.