FREMONT, CA — The state’s continuous stormy weather has officially brought enough snow to not only relieve more than half the state of drought conditions but also to tie a record for the most snowfall set way back in 1952, state water officials confirmed during their fourth snow survey of the year.
The manual survey recorded 126.5 inches of snow depth and a snow water equivalent of 54 inches, which is 221 percent of average at Phillips Station April 3, California Department of Water Resources announced Monday.
DWR’s electronic readings from 130 snow sensors placed throughout the state indicate the statewide snowpack’s snow water equivalent is 61.1 inches, or 237 percent of average for this date, higher than any other reading since the snow sensor network was established in the mid-1980s, the agency said.
Find out what's happening in Fremontwith free, real-time updates from Patch.
While relief from the drought is well, a relief, now a new set of problems could arise, officials said.
“This year’s severe storms and flooding is the latest example that California’s climate is becoming more extreme,” DWR Director Karla Nemeth said. “After the driest three years on record and devastating drought impacts to communities across the state, DWR has rapidly shifted to flood response and forecasting for the upcoming snowmelt. We have provided flood assistance to many communities who just a few months ago were facing severe drought impacts.”
Find out what's happening in Fremontwith free, real-time updates from Patch.
According to DWR, the size and distribution of this year’s snowpack is posing a severe flood risk to certain areas of the state, especially the Southern San Joaquin Valley.
“DWR’s State-Federal Flood Operations Center (FOC) is supporting emergency response in the Tulare Lake Basin and Lower San Joaquin River by providing flood fight specialists to support ongoing flood response activities and by providing longer-term advanced planning activities,” a news release issued by the agency said.
Storms this year have caused impacts across the state including flooding in the community of Pajaro and communities in Sacramento, Tulare, and Merced counties.
Related: Levee Break Triggers Major Flooding, Evacuations Amid CA Storm
“The FOC has helped Californians by providing over 1.4 million sandbags, over 1 million square feet of plastic sheeting, and over 9,000 feet of reinforcing muscle wall, across the state since January,” DWR said.
On March 24, DWR announced an increase in the forecasted State Water Project (SWP) deliveries to 75 percent, up from 35 percent announced in February, due to the improvement in the state’s water supplies.
Related: ‘Huge Gains’ In CA Snowpack Free Half Of State From Drought
Governor Gavin Newsom has also rolled back some drought emergency provisions that are no longer needed due to improved water conditions, while maintaining other measures that continue building up long-term water resilience and that support regions and communities still facing water supply challenges.
DWR’s next snow survey is tentatively scheduled for May 1.
Get more local news delivered straight to your inbox. Sign up for free Patch newsletters and alerts.
Click Here: cronulla-sutherland sharks shirt