California’s winter season has brought a surplus of snow, with the state’s snowpack standing at 237% of the annual average. According to officials, this could be the greatest documented snowpack in 70 years, with the potential to be the largest on record. Sean de Guzman, with the Department of Water Resources (DWR), described it as the deepest snowpack he has ever measured.
The heavy snowfall has brought both benefits and challenges. The dozen atmospheric river storms and “bomb cyclones” that hit California in recent months have alleviated drought in much of the state and allowed reservoirs to refill. However, the storms have also caused deadly flooding, broken levees, and knocked out power lines, leaving officials to prepare for more problems in the months ahead.
As the snowpack begins to melt in the spring and summer, even more significant flooding is expected, particularly in the Tulare Lake Basin. This formerly dried-out body of water, once the largest freshwater lake west of the Mississippi, has returned amid the record rain, posing a challenge for officials.
California SnowfallsDWR Director Karla Nemeth emphasized the need for flood protection and public safety in the months ahead. She warned that even after this year’s deluge, the drought is not entirely over for the state and that officials must continue to manage water efficiently. Nemeth stressed that the droughts are getting deeper and more frequent, and the state must be prepared to capture and store water efficiently.
Governor Gavin Newsom has signed an executive order to help with the flood response in the Tulare Basin, placing the state’s first priority on protecting lives and livelihoods. Officials are working to support local emergency responses and prepare for the surge of snowmelt runoff in the months ahead.
Despite the recent heavy rainfall and snowfall, California is not entirely out of drought. Newsom described the state as being “mostly but not completely” out of drought, and officials are still managing the state’s water resources with caution. As the state moves forward, it will be essential to balance the benefits of the recent snowfall with the continued need for efficient water management.