Snowpack Dips Below Average in Second Snow Survey

  • by Department of Water Resources
  • Jan 31, 2025
  • Water News

SACRAMENTO – The Department of Water Resources (DWR) today conducted the second snow survey of the season at Phillips Station. The manual survey recorded 22.5 inches of snow depth and a snow water equivalent of 8 inches, which is 46 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. Statewide, the snowpack is 65 percent of average for this date.

On January 1, the statewide snowpack was 108 percent of average after a series of large storms in November and December boosted snow totals in the Northern Sierra, but significant regional differences kept the Central Sierra just below average and the Southern Sierra well below average. An excessively dry January has pushed the Northern Sierra back to near average, the Central Sierra to 58 percent of average, and has led the Southern Sierra Nevada to fall to under 50 percent of average.

“Despite a good start to the snowpack in the Northern Sierra in November and December, we can look back as recently as 2013 and 2021 to show how quickly conditions can change for the drier,” said DWR Director Karla Nemeth. “California missed out on critical snow-building storms in January which has pushed the state down below average for this time of year. While we are excited to see some storm activity in the coming days, sustained periods of no precipitation can dry the state out very quickly. For each day it’s not snowing or raining, we are not keeping up with what we need.”

DWR’s electronic readings from 130 stations placed throughout the Sierra Nevada indicate that the statewide snowpack’s snow water equivalent is 10.5 inches, or 65 percent of average for this date. While forecasts show storm activity may pick up in February, California has seen several years in recent history with large early season snow totals, only for predominantly dry conditions to dominate the rest of the season.

California has effectively managed its reservoirs to keep storage above average for this time of year. Lake Oroville, the State Water Project’s largest reservoir, is currently at 126 percent of average for this time of year. San Luis Reservoir, which is jointly operated by the U.S. Bureau of Reclamation, is at 101 percent of average for this time of year. Reservoirs in Southern California are also near or above their historical averages.

Measuring California’s snowpack is a key component that guides how California’s water supplies are managed. The data and measurements collected help inform water supply and snowmelt runoff forecasts, known as Bulletin 120, that help water managers plan for how much water will eventually reach state reservoirs in the spring and summer. This information is also a key piece in calculating State Water Project allocation forecasts each month.

Despite some recent rain, Southern California is still well below average for yearly precipitation. To prepare for any weather the region may see the rest of the season, DWR has deployed over 30 Watershed Protection Specialists to assist with the Watershed and Debris Flow Task Force organized by the California Office of Emergency Services (CalOES). Members of this task force, including DWR, CalOES, CAL FIRE and over 400 members of the California Conservation Corps, have been working around the clock to protect watersheds around burn scars, place materials to mitigate the risk of debris flows and ensure regional infrastructure including debris flow basins are prepared for incoming storm activity.

On average, California’s snowpack supplies about 30 percent of California’s water needs. Its natural ability to store water is why California’s 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 manages the state’s water resources.

DWR conducts four or five media-oriented snow surveys at Phillips Station each winter near the first of each month, January through April and, if necessary, May. The next survey is tentatively scheduled for February 28.
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.

Comment Letter: Bioenergy Feed-in Tariff Program

To: The Honorable Alice Reynolds, President, The Honorable John Reynolds, Commissioner, California Public Utilities Commission Subject: Need to Extend the Bioenergy Feed-In […]

Dam Safety and Resilience Program – 2024/25 Budget Funds

To: The Honorable Gavin Newsom and Policy Chairs and Budget Subcommittee Chairs Subject: Dam Safety and Resilience Program – Updated 2024/25 […]

Wildfires and Water: The Role of California Public Water Agencies Factsheet

California faces catastrophic climate-driven wildfires, exacerbated by periods of heavy rainfall followed by periods of extreme drought, decades of fire […]

Comment Letter: Draft Sacramento/Delta Bay-Delta Plan Updates

To: Mr. Erik Ekdahl, Deputy Director, Division of Water Rights, State Water Resources Control Board Subject: Draft Sacramento/Delta Bay-Delta Plan Updates Letter: […]

Comment Letter: Proposed Public Health Goal for NDMA

To: Ms. Hermelinda Jimenez, PHG Program, Pesticide and Environmental Toxicology Branch, Office of Environmental Health Hazard Assessment, California Environmental Protection Agency […]

Support for the Fix Our Forests Act

To: The Honorable Bruce Westerman, Chairman, Committee on Natural Resources, and The Honorable Scott Peters, Congressman Subject: Support for the […]

ACWA Scholarship Toolkit for 2025-’26

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

Coalition Letter: Draft Sacramento/Delta Bay-Delta Plan Updates

To: Mr. Erik Ekdahl, Deputy Director, Division of Water Rights, State Water Resources Control Board Subject: Draft Sacramento/Delta Bay-Delta Plan Updates Letter: […]

ACWA 2024 Fall Conference Presentations

Presentations from ACWA’s 2024 Fall Conference & Expo held December 3-5 in Palm Desert are available below. Please note that […]

Comment Letter to Select Committee on Permitting Reform (Climate Projects)

To: Assemblymember Buffy Wicks Subject: Assembly Select Committee on Permitting Reform – Climate Project Permitting Recommendations Letter: The undersigned organizations […]

Outreach Handbook

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

ACWA 2024 Fall Conference Attorney Programs

Presentations from the Attorney Programs held during ACWA’s 2024 Fall Conference & Expo December 3-5 in Palm Desert are available […]

ACWA’s Five-Year Strategic Plan

The ACWA Board of Directors approved a new five-year strategic plan in September 2024. The new plan will afford the […]

2024 Summary of Appellate Cases

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

Suggested News

15 Articles prev next
February 2025 Priority Issues Update Now Available

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

ACWD to Hold Public Hearing on Proposed Increase in Water Related Rates

The Alameda County Water District Board of Directors will hold a public hearing on Thursday, February 13 at 6 p.m., […]

Mesa Water District Board Elects Marice H. Depasquale as Board President

COSTA MESA — Mesa Water District (Mesa Water®) is pleased to announce that the Mesa Water Board of Directors (Board) officially […]

WVWD Enhances Communication with Leak and Payment Notifications

WALNUT – Walnut Valley Water District (WVWD) continues to enhance customer communication through automated text message alerts for water leaks […]

ACWA Responds to Gov. Newsom’s Executive Order on Flood Control, Groundwater Recharge

SACRAMENTO — The Association of California Water Agencies (ACWA) issued the following statement from ACWA President Cathy Green regarding Executive […]

Desert Water Agency Announces 2025 Board Members and Positions

Paul Ortega and Kristin Bloomer have started new, four-year terms on the Desert Water Agency Board of Directors. Both were […]

Snowpack Dips Below Average in Second Snow Survey

SACRAMENTO – The Department of Water Resources (DWR) today conducted the second snow survey of the season at Phillips Station. […]

Western Water Board Confirms Leadership Team for 2025

On Jan. 22, 2025, Western Municipal Water District’s (Western Water) Board of Directors voted to appoint Director Laura Roughton as […]

Regional Agencies Come Together to Commemorate Sustainability Milestone

BEAUMONT – San Gorgonio Pass Water Agency (SGPWA) supported its regional partner South Mesa Water Company’s (SMWC) advancement of clean, […]

West Basin Municipal Water District Announces 2025 Board Positions

At the January meeting of the West Basin Municipal Water District (West Basin or District) Board of Directors, the board […]

WVWD and Supervisor Armendarez Enhance Community Fire Safety

RIALTO – West Valley Water District (WVWD), in collaboration with San Bernardino County Supervisor Jesse Armendarez, is taking proactive steps to […]

Jose Lopez Re-Elected as Otay Water District Board President for 2025

SPRING VALLEY – At its January meeting, the Otay Water District board of directors elected Jose Lopez as president for […]

YLWD Secures New Authority of $6.5 Million for Water Infrastructure Projects

The Yorba Linda Water District (YLWD/District) is pleased to announce that it has received a significant boost for its water […]

SWP Increases Allocation Forecast

SACRAMENTO – The Department of Water Resources (DWR) on Jan. 28 announced an update to the State Water Project (SWP) […]

PWD Increases 2025 Rate Assistance Program Budget, Opening 135 More Spots

PALMDALE – The Palmdale Water District (PWD) Board of Directors approved Monday night the interim increase of $40,000 to this […]