The water content of California’s Sierra Nevada snowpack was measured at 59% of the April 1 average, when it historically is at its peak, the state’s chief of snow surveys and water supply forecasting said Thursday. The unsurprising result follows the second consecutive dry winter and comes amid indicators that...
High and Low Tech Surveys Show Sierra Snowpack Is Still Stingy
The snowpack above the central San Joaquin Valley looks slightly better after March and April brought the winter weather that was AWOL during the first two months of 2020. But the late storms weren’t enough to get Valley rivers much above 60% of average — if that. San Joaquin River...
Thus Far, It’s an ‘Amazing April’ Comeback for California Snowpack
Although it's too early to declare an "Amazing April" for California's water situation, a slow-moving storm this week is certainly boosting the Sierra snowpack. Super cool visible satellite loop from GOES-17 depicting eye-like feature near center of slow-moving cut-off low pressure system off the coast of Los Angeles. Showers and...
Latest Rain and Snow Help Parched Valley Water Prospects
More than eighth-tenths of an inch of rain has fallen in Fresno since Friday. And, while not a "March Miracle," this latest storm has pushed the monthly total to 2 inches — with the promise of more Thursday. Here are a few updated numbers for precipitation fanatics courtesy of the...
Dry January Puts a Hurt on California Snowpack
PHILLIPS STATION — California's weather turned largely dry in January and left the water content of the Sierra Nevada snowpack below average for this time of year, state officials said after measurements Thursday. The retrograde movement of the winter precipitation outlook followed a stormy December that gave the mountain range...
Irrigation Water Prices Under SGMA Induce Sticker Shock
Reaction was hushed when Rosedale-Rio Bravo Water Storage District General Manager Eric Averett asked the small group of farmers Tuesday morning if any were interested in buying irrigation water at the previously unheard of price of $770 an acre-foot. No papers rustled. Keyboards went silent. And none of the growers...
December Storms Deliver Good Start for Sierra Snowpack
Electronic readings from 130 stations throughout California indicate that the state's snow water equivalent is 9.3 inches. That's 90% of the Jan. 2 average. “While the series of cold weather storms in November and December has provided a good start to the 2020 snowpack, precipitation in Northern California is still...
Sierra Snowpack Off to a Great Start for Skiers and Farmers
As holiday shoppers ventured out for last-minute gifts over the weekend, the snow-dusted Sierra was visible throughout Fresno and Clovis. Those magnificent views are backed by the latest snowpack report from the California Department of Water Resources. The agency reports that the Sierra snowpack is off to its best start since...
Avoid the Kings River. It's Still Closed to Recreational Use.
Strong currents and bone-chilling water have kept the Kings River banned from recreational use for more than a month. The stretch from Pine Flat Dam the Tulare and Kings county lines will remain closed this weekend. The closure, ordered by the Fresno County Sheriff's Office, has been in place since...
Rising Waters in Yosemite: So Beautiful, So Dangerous
Water is coming on strong in Yosemite National Park. Rivers and waterfalls tumbling over some of nature's most spectacular landscapes are an incredible sight. They also are incredibly hazardous and potentially deadly. The National Weather Service and National Park Service are warning park visitors not to take risks with swift-moving,...