April Snow Survey Shows Above Average Snowpack 

  • by Department of Water Resources
  • Apr 2, 2024
  • Water News

SACRAMENTO – The Department of Water Resources (DWR) today conducted the all-important April snow survey, the fourth measurement of the season at Phillips Station. The manual survey recorded 64 inches of snow depth and a snow water equivalent of 27.5 inches, which is 113 percent of average for this location. The snow water equivalent measures the amount of water contained in the snowpack and is a key component of DWR’s water supply forecast. The April measurement is critical for water managers as it’s considered the peak snowpack for the season and marks the transition to spring snowmelt into the state’s rivers and reservoirs.

DWR’s electronic readings from 130 stations placed throughout the state indicate that the statewide snowpack’s snow water equivalent is 28.6 inches, or 110 percent of the April 1 average, a significant improvement from just 28 percent of average on January 1.

The focus now shifts to forecasting spring snowmelt runoff and capturing as much of that water as possible for future use.

“It’s great news that the snowpack was able to catch up in March from a dry start this year. This water year shows once again how our climate is shifting, and how we can swing from dry to wet conditions within a season,” said DWR Director Karla Nemeth. “These swings make it crucial to maintain conservation while managing the runoff. Variable climate conditions could result in less water runoff into our reservoirs. 100 percent snowpack does not mean 100 percent runoff. Capturing and storing what we can in wetter years for drier times remains a key priority.”

California’s reservoirs remain in good shape thanks to state efforts to capture and store as much water as possible from record storms in 2023 and again this season. The State Water Project has increased storage by 700,000 acre-feet at Lake Oroville and by 154,000 acre-feet at San Luis Reservoir since January 1. Statewide, reservoir levels currently stand at 116 percent of average.

However, there are challenges ahead as the spring runoff begins. The dry start to the year, soot and ash from burn scars that accelerates snowmelt, and other factors may result in below average spring runoff which can impact water availability.

Recently, the State Water Project increased its forecasted allocation of water supplies for the year to 30 percent, up from an initial 10 percent, due to the storms in February and March. However, uncertainty about the spring runoff and ongoing pumping restrictions to protect threatened and endangered species in the Delta has impacted that allocation forecast.

“California has had two years of relatively positive water conditions, but that is no reason to let our guard down now,” said Dr. Michael Anderson, State Climatologist with DWR. “With three record-setting multi-year droughts in the last 15 years and warmer temperatures, a well above average snowpack is needed to reach average runoff. The wild swings from dry to wet that make up today’s water years make it important to maintain conservation while managing the runoff we do receive. Our water years moving forward will see more extreme dry times interrupted by very wet periods like we saw this winter.”

That need to adapt to a changing climate is why Governor Gavin Newsom joined today’s snow survey at Phillips Station to announce the release of the California Water Plan Update 2023. The Water Plan Update sets forth a vision for all Californians to benefit from water resources that are sustainable, resilient to climate change and achieves equity for all communities and benefits the environment. Check out the Water Plan Update to learn more about how the plan focuses on key issues including addressing climate urgency, strengthening watershed resilience, and achieving equity in water management.

As part of the state’s climate adaptation efforts, over the past two years, California has worked with local groundwater agencies and state and federal partners to capture as much water as possible to prepare for the next drought. In 2023, more than 1.2 million acre-feet of groundwater recharge was permitted by state agencies, with nearly 400,000 acre-feet of flood water recharged using the Executive Orders issued by Governor Newsom.

On average, the Sierra snowpack supplies about 30 percent of California’s water needs. Its natural ability to store water is why the Sierra snowpack is often referred to as California’s “frozen reservoir.” Data from these snow surveys and forecasts produced by DWR’s Snow Surveys and Water Supply Forecasting Unit are important factors in determining how DWR provides water to 27 million Californians and manages the state’s water resources.

DWR conducts five snow surveys at Phillips Station each winter near the first of each month, January through April and, if necessary, May.

For California’s current hydrological conditions, visit https://cww.water.ca.gov.

Suggested Resources

15 RESOURCES prev next
Priority Issues Bulletin

Sorry, but only ACWA members have permission to view this content. Member login is required.

Regulatory Roundup

The following document is released each month and includes policy updates from ACWA’s Regulatory Department. Click on the below link […]

Coalition Letter: FY 2025 – 2026 Budget – Support for AB 102 and SB 102 – Funding for the Agreements to Support Healthy Rivers and Landscapes

To: President pro Tempore McGuire, Speaker Rivas, Budget Chairs Weiner and Gabriel, and Subcommittee Chairs Allen and Bennett Subject: FY […]

Coalition Letter: Dam Safety and Resilience Program – Updated Request for 2024/25 Budget Funds and Allocation of Proposition 4 Monies

To: Governor Newsom, Policy Chairs and Budget Subcommittee Chairs Subject: Dam Safety and Resilience Program – Updated Request for 2024/25 […]

Coalition Letter: 2025-26 Budget – Oppose Proposed Reduction of Funding for the Agreements to Support Healthy Rivers and Landscapes

To: President pro Tempore Mike McGuire, Speaker Robert Rivas, Budget Chairs Scott Weiner and Jesse Gabriel, and Subcommittee Chairs Benjamin Allen […]

Cross-Connection Control Toolkit

Sorry, but only ACWA members have permission to view this content. Member login is required.

Comment Letter: Updated Water Measurement and Reporting Revisions

To: Courtney Tyler, Clerk to the Board, State Water Resources Control Board Subject: Updated Water Measurement and Reporting Revisions Letter […]

Joint Comment Letter: Request for Information – Development of a 2025 National Artificial Intelligence Research and Development Strategic Plan

To: Faisal D’Souza, Technical Coordinator, Networking and Information Technology Research and Development (NITRD) Subject: Request for Information: Development of a […]

Joint Comment Letter: RFI Response and Proposal for National AI Resource Exchange (NAIREX) with Industry Partnership Framework

To: Faisal D’Souza, Technical Coordinator, Networking and Information Technology Research and Development (NITRD) National Coordination Office (NCO) Subject: RFI Response […]

Federal Legislative Matrix

Sorry, but only ACWA members have permission to view this content. Member login is required.

ACWA 2025 Spring Conference Presentations

Presentations from ACWA’s 2025 Spring Conference & Expo held May 13-15 in Monterey are available below. Please note that this […]

Comment Letter: U.S. EPA WaterSense Program

To: Kersey Manliclic, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency Subject:U.S. Environmental Protection Agency WaterSense Program—Docket ID No. EPA-HQ-OW-2025-012 Letter: The Association of […]

Paving Standards Best Practices

The Association of California Water Agencies (ACWA) recognizes that all local governments would benefit from greater coordination on planned paving […]

Headwaters Videos Toolkit

ACWA has developed a suite of videos to help member agencies educate the public and lawmakers about the critical need […]

Comment Letter: Proposed Onsite Treatment and Reuse of Nonpotable Water Regulation

To: Courtney Tyler, Clerk to the Board, State Water Resources Control Board Subject: Comments — Proposed Onsite Treatment and Reuse of […]

Suggested News

15 Articles prev next
July 2025 Priority Issues Update Now Available

The July 2025 Priority Issues Update is now available online to members. The update is a summary of the latest […]

Firefighting Helicopter System Takes Flight in the San Gorgonio Pass

BEAUMONT – In a powerful show of innovation and collaboration, San Gorgonio Pass Water Agency (SGPWA) and its partners unveiled […]

IRWD Helps Keep O.C. Beaches Clean

Once again this year, Orange County surpassed other regions in the state with top water-quality marks on Heal the Bay’s […]

Healthy Rivers and Landscapes Funding Restored

SACRAMENTO — Gov. Gavin Newsom on June 27 signed a budget bill that restores more than $351 million in funding […]

Inland Empire Utilities Agency Recognizes July as Smart Irrigation Month

INLAND EMPIRE – In partnership with local water providers, the Inland Empire Utilities Agency (IEUA/Agency) is again hosting its free […]

New Water Project Boosts Drought Resilience for Local Growers

OXNARD – United Water Conservation District (UWCD) recently completed the first phase of its Laguna Road Pipeline Project, bringing it […]

PWD Celebrates Start of Palmdale Ditch Pipeline Construction

PALMDALE – Palmdale Water District (PWD) broke ground today on a multi-million-dollar project that will convert the Palmdale Ditch, built […]

CHWD Promotes Respected Engineer as Operations Director

Citrus Heights Water District (CHWD) is pleased to announce the promotion of Todd Jordan to Director of Operations. With over […]

ACWA-Supported WIPPES Act Advances in Congress with Bipartisan Support

WASHINGTON, D.C. — The U.S. House of Representatives during the last week of June passed the Wastewater Pollution Prevention and […]

June 27, 2025 ACWA News Available

Sorry, but only ACWA members have permission to view this content. Member login is required.

Ag + Urban: A Shared Commitment to Water Stewardship

ACWA quietly turned 115 years old on May 28, providing an opportunity to both look back and think ahead. And […]

Spotlight June 2025: When Fire and Water Do Mix

Water Agencies Partner with Fire Departments to Maximize Wildfire Preparedness In fire-prone California, collaboration between water agencies and fire departments […]

ACWA Accepting Applications for 2025 Fall Awards

ACWA will announce the following award recipients at its 2025 Fall Conference & Expo in San Diego, being held Dec. […]

United Water Conservation District Lawsuit Defends Water Rights

A recent ruling by the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit in United Water Conservation District v. United […]

DWR Semi-Annual Groundwater Conditions Update Highlights Key Trends

SACRAMENTO – California is now collecting more groundwater data than ever before as highlighted in the Semi-Annual Groundwater Conditions Update […]