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Snowpack is already at 85% of April 1st averages (and almost double the average for this point in the season). All of that snow will be melting in early summer.
by ummonk 4y ago
Snowpack is already at 85% of April 1st averages (and almost double the average for this point in the season). All of that snow will be melting in early summer. I expect they're going to keep the reservoirs less filled than usual in the Spring, to ensure there is capacity to avoid getting running into issues like Oroville reservoir did a few years back.
- gumby 4y agoThe problem is that the snowpack is part of the storage system. The warmer summers melt the snowpack sooner in the year, reducing the amount of water being stored. I've hiked in winter snow in August, and even September, but not for a few years. We survive that because the reservoirs are designed to hold more than a year's worth of water demand. But the integrity of the system depends on all the parts operating to some degree.