DWR Announces Snow Survey Results.

SACRAMENTO, Calif. -- Results of the fourth snow survey of the 2006-2007 winter season by the California Department of Water Resources off Highway 50 near Echo Summit are as follows:

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DWR Snow Survey Section Chief Frank Gehrke said Monday night's storm helped the snowpack by about two inches but "instead of seeing an increase of five or six inches in March, we lost eight or nine inches. That's a pretty bleak month."

Electronic sensor readings posted today on the California Data Exchange Center's Web site show Northern Sierra snow water equivalents at 52 percent of normal for this date, Central Sierra at 48 percent, and Southern Sierra at 38 percent. Statewide, the percentage of normal is at 46.

Snowpack information is part of the data used by DWR's State Water Project (SWP) Analysis Office in determining how much water will delivered each year through the SWP. Currently, the SWP is meeting 60 percent of requested amounts. That translates to about 2.5 million acre feet for the year.

Those deliveries will be particularly meaningful for the south state this year. While reservoir storage in California is at or above normal thanks to a wet 2006, much of Southern California is experiencing its driest rainfall year on record. Only 2.47 inches of rain have fallen in downtown Los Angeles since July 1. In a normal year, that figure would be more than 13 inches. L.A. has received only 18% of its normal rainfall for this time of year.

In addition to today's survey information, reporters can find real-time readings of statewide water content posted on the Internet in date order (newest at the bottom) at http://cdec.water.ca.gov/cgi-progs/lsreports/DLYSWEQ.

The next, and last, survey of the season is tentatively scheduled for April 26, 2007, at 11 a.m. DWR's Public Affairs Office will issue a news advisory before the event.

Importance of Snow Surveying

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.

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 California's mountains each month to gauge the amount of water in the snowpack.

The Department of Water Resources operates and maintains the State Water Project, provides dam safety and flood control and inspection services, assists local water districts in water management and water conservation planning, and plans for future statewide water needs.