Snowpack Survey Reveals California Snow Depth Still Far Below Average

SACRAMENTO (CBS13) — The state's first annual manual snowpack survey was conducted today and, as expected, found that although California has more snow now than this time last year, the snow water equivalent is still far below the average.

The Department of Water Resources (DWR) conducted Tuesday's survey at a spot about 90 miles east of Sacramento along Highway 50 near Echo Summit. According to a statement by the department, at that location, the snow water equivalent is at 33 percent of average. However, electronic sensors placed in various places around the state show a snow water equivalent of 50 percent of a multi-year average for this time of the year.

"Contrary to appearances, the drought is still on," said Frank Gehrke with California Cooperative Snow Surveys.

Last winter, the first snow survey showed a snow water equivalent of 20 percent of normal, which tied 2012 as being the driest on record.

"Although this year's survey shows a deeper snowpack than last year, California needs much more rain and snow than we've experienced over the past two years to end the drought in 2015. The department encourages Californians to continue their water conservation practices," said DWR Director Mark Cowin.

The snowpack supplies around a third of the water needed for residential and commercial uses in the late spring and summer months.

According to the DWR, today's electronic readings show water content in the northern mountains is 57 percent of normal, and 20 percent of the average on April 1, when the snowpack normally is at its pead. Readings in the central Sierra show 45 percent of normal and 16 percent of the April 1 average. The numbers for the southern Sierra are 48 percent of average and 15 percent of the April 1 average.

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