Can Sierra Snowpack Alleviate Drought Conditions, Water Supply Shortage in California?

With more snow expected to pelt the mountain range in the coming days, the Sierra Nevada in California is approaching the second-largest snowpack ever recorded at this time of year in the previous 20 years as the New Year gets underway. The significant accumulation might help the region's drought and water supply issues.

Some claim that the drought is still far from being over.

Snowpack Survey

Due to the more than 100 sensors spread throughout the Sierra that monitor accumulation every day, the monthly ritual of state water officials surveying the snowpack at Echo Summit, south of Lake Tahoe, on Tuesday will largely be for show. Since officials use the measurement results to help manage the water supply, which heavily depends on snowmelt, it is crucial in the drought-stricken Golden State.

According to Weather Nation, about 30% of California's water needs are met by the Sierra snowpack, which also plays a significant role in how DWR manages the state's water resources.

In comparison to historical averages for this time of year, the statewide average on Saturday was a whopping 162% of normal, barely surpassing last year's figure. However, a Bay Area News Group analysis showed that only twice-in 2005 and 2011-of the seven occasions in the previous 20 years when California began the new year with an above-average snowpack did it continue the snow season into April with an above-average snowpack.

By the start of next week, several feet of snow is anticipated to have accumulated as yet another storm system barrels in from the Pacific, bringing Monday night's rain and colder temperatures to the Bay Area.

Above Average Snow Season

Andrew Schwartz, the lead scientist at the UC Berkeley Central Sierra Snow Laboratory located near Donner Summit, said that just as it was in this same location last year, it is simply far too early to say whether or not the storms will affect the drought. The levels are clearly above average according to the readings, and from January to March the faucet stops working.

The Sierra snowpack last year fell dramatically from 160% of normal towards the end of 2021 down to 37% of normal by the end of the season. California last experienced a snow season that ended above average in 2019 when it reached 161% of the average after only reaching 73% the year before.

It is impossible to accurately forecast what will happen over the next four months. The majority of the reservoirs in the state will be empty if the faucet shuts off again. Two of California's biggest reservoirs, Shasta and Oroville, were only operating at one-third of capacity as of Friday. And even though there is a lot of snow for this time of year, by April 1, which is the end of the usual California snow season, the snowpack still only amounts to half of what is regarded as normal.

Only One Year is Fine

Jay Lund, a professor at UC Davis, says that the reservoirs now have a loss that may take years to fill as a result of several years of drought.

Lund said that everything would be fine if the drought lasted just one year, but the groundwater that was drained during the previous drought has not yet been replaced.

According to Ars Technica, it might take six to eight years to replenish the aquifers, according to the researchers, even in the best-case scenarios where there is above-average precipitation.

Sean de Guzman, the monthly snow surveys manager for the California Department of Water Resources, said that Weather patterns become more erratic as a result of climate change. Therefore, even though the recent snowfall came as a pleasant surprise, it is difficult to say whether we are headed out of the drought.

Although weather predictions can change from day to day, Rick Canepa, a National Weather Service meteorologist, predicts that snowy conditions will persist into the first part of next week with a high degree of certainty. Canepa advised motorists traveling from the Bay Area up to Tahoe to prepare for icy conditions.

Canepa advised motorists traveling from the Bay Area up to Tahoe to prepare for icy conditions. Meanwhile, the snowplow industry is also flourishing, PhysOrg reports.