2016 Spring Snowpack Survey At 95% Normal

snowpack

The California Snowpack measurements back.

The 2016 Annual Spring Snowpack survey finds Sierra Nevada at 95% of normal, but drought endures.

The survey by the California Department of Water Resources revealed a snowpack depth of 58.4 inches.

It’s a vast improvement from zero last year, but a disappointment when considering predictions of well-above average snowfall and rain from the large El Nino.

Reservoir levels are increasing – at Lake Oroville, levels are 113% of historical average, at Lake Shasta – 109% of historical average.

in Southern California, reservoirs are much lower – such as at Castaic Lake, which stores water bought from Northern California, at only 45% of historical average and only 40 percent capacity.