The water in the mountain snow package in California is simply shy of the average, as the spring begins, and the winter storm coming to Sierra Nevada must offer impetus.
The snow package in the country measures 90% of the average on Friday, just before the expected peak on April 1, before the sun begins to melt the snow faster than it can accumulate, sending water that flows into rivers and streams, while the storms are reduced in the spring, said Andy Reese, the ministry of snow resources and snow resources.
“Ninety percent are really good. I feel generally positive,” Reese told reporters, while snow fell at Phillips Station in the mountains in the eastern part of the state, one of more than 250 seats where measurements were made.
The news is coming as more storms are expected to throw away rainfall in Northern California early next week, which encouraged employees to hit the snow survey to avoid traveling during dangerous conditions. It also comes, as almost all the reservoirs in California are above their historic capacity, after two moist winters followed a punishment of drought, which forced severe cuts in the use of water in cities and in farms.
Civil servants said they would provide an update to the study next week after the storm.
The snow package provides about one -third of the water used every year in California, which is home to 39 million people and grows much of the fresh fruits and vegetables in the country. The state has built a complex system of channels and dams to capture and store water in tanks for hot, dry months when it is not raining or snow.
While northern and central states are discarded with water, Reising warned that southern California, including Los Angeles, has received far less rainfall than usual. The greater part of Southern California is again moderate to extreme drought, according to the US land monitor.
“We know that floods and drought can happen at any time. The California lifestyle is to expect it,” Reese said.
At the Phillips Station, employees recorded a depth of snow 39.5 inches (100 centimeters) and a water content of 17 inches (43 centimeters), which is 70% of the average for the location, he said.
The Trump administration has shown a great interest in the California water situation, promising to send more water through a federally managed network to farmers and to maintain less for environmental interests. He has blown up the state for what he calls bad water management and accuses the state’s policies for environmental water challenges during wild fires in Los Angeles, although the two were not connected.
This year, the distributions of the state water project in California are currently 40% of the requested deliveries similar to last year. The project provides water to 27 million people and 750,000 acres (303 514 hectares) of agricultural land, and the distributions vary significantly over wet and dry years.
Jennifer Pierre, General Manager of State Water Performers, said he believes California’s employees could put more water this year and want to see more agile decision -making in response to fast -changing conditions.
“We have this discrepancy between hydrology and distribution and what are the various physical changes and political changes that must be made to deal with it,” Pierre said.
Peter Glake, the co -founder of the Okland -based Pacific Institute, said the state’s main reservoirs are in good shape, but farmers in California will always want more water than the environment can provide.
“We should never let a good water year allow us to become complacent,” Glake said. “We never have enough water to lose.”