ADVISORY/Snow Survey May 1 Will Show How Much More Water is in the Pack for Reservoirs.

News Editors/Environment Writers

ADVISORY...for Thursday (May 1)

SACRAMENTO, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--April 25, 2003

California Department of Water Resources snow surveyors will measure Sierra snowpack conditions next Thursday, May 1, to see how much more water has accumulated in the snowpack from this April's wintry weather.

Each winter nearly all the snow usually falls by April 1. The water content of the pack this April 1 measured at 65% of a normal winter.

But this April, above-normal amounts of snow and rain have fallen in the Sierra, making this measurement of particular interest.

Because of abundant April conditions, the prospect of near-normal water runoff for many of the state's reservoirs is much improved.

WHERE TO BE: Reporters, photographers, and camera crews should be at the "Phillips Station" survey location by 11 a.m. The site is about 90 miles east of Sacramento. Take Highway 50 to the Sierra-at-Tahoe turnoff and park near the intersection. Bring cross-country skis or snowshoes.

BACKGROUND INFORMATION: Snow-water measurements such as these are performed monthly starting around January 1 throughout the Sierra to determine how much potential runoff will reach reservoirs in the spring melt. The April 1 measurement is considered the winter's total.

Snow-water content is important in determining the coming year's water supply. The measurements help hydrologists prepare water supply forecasts as well as provide others, such as hydroelectric power companies and the recreation industry, with much needed data.

Snow-water monitoring is coordinated by the Department of Water Resources as part of the multi-agency California Cooperative Snow Surveys Program. Surveyors from more than 50 agencies and utilities visit hundreds of snow measurement courses in the Sierra each month to gauge the amount of water in the snowpack.