Half of California freed from drought thanks to rain, snow
1 year, 9 months ago

Half of California freed from drought thanks to rain, snow

Associated Press  

LOS ANGELES — Tremendous rains and snowfall since late last year have freed half of California from drought, but low groundwater levels remain a persistent problem, U.S. Drought Monitor data showed Thursday. “Clearly the amount of water that’s fallen this year has greatly alleviated the drought,” said Daniel Swain, a climate scientist at the University of California, Los Angeles. “The rain has improved California soil moisture and streamflow levels, while the snow has increased mountain snowpack to much above-normal levels,” the monitor said. “Most California reservoirs have refilled with water levels near or above average, but groundwater levels remain low and may take months to recover.” As of Thursday, the water content of the Sierra snowpack, which provides about a third of California’s water, was 170% of the historical average on April 1, when it is normally at its peak, according to the state Department of Water Resources.

Water Drought California State Los Angeles Snow Sierra Levels Swain Snowpack Freed Half  freed  half  thanks  drought  snowpack  levels  snow  water  average  monitor  sierra  california  state  rain

History of this topic

The U.S. Drought Monitor is a critical tool for the arid West. Can it keep up with climate change?
6 months, 3 weeks ago

The U.S. Drought Monitor is a critical tool for the arid West. Can it keep up with climate change?

LA Times  

Known for its glowing swaths of yellow, orange and red, the U.S. Drought Monitor has warned farmers, residents and officials throughout the nation of impending water scarcity every week since 1999. “And we in the drought community need to have a conversation about what it looks like to think about drought monitoring in the context of an aridifying climate.” The …

A wet year boosted California’s groundwater, but not enough to address long-term declines
7 months, 2 weeks ago

A wet year boosted California’s groundwater, but not enough to address long-term declines

LA Times  

After years of pervasive declines, groundwater levels rose significantly in much of California last year, boosted by historic wet weather and the state’s expanding efforts to replenish depleted aquifers. The state’s aquifers gained an estimated 8.7 million acre-feet of groundwater — nearly double the total storage capacity of Shasta Lake — during the 2023 water year that ended Sept. 30, …

L.A.’s water supplies are in good shape. But is the city ready for the next drought?
8 months, 1 week ago

L.A.’s water supplies are in good shape. But is the city ready for the next drought?

LA Times  

California’s second wet winter in a row has left L.A.’s water supplies in good shape, and the city has used its reprieve from drought to make progress on water-saving infrastructure projects. After the state’s final snow survey of the season, officials with the Los Angeles Department of Water and Power announced that Eastern Sierra snowpack is measuring 103% of normal, …

Editorial: California snow survey makes it official — we’re all wet
8 months, 3 weeks ago

Editorial: California snow survey makes it official — we’re all wet

LA Times  

Sean de Guzman, right, manager of the California Department of Water Resources Snow Surveys and Water Supply Forecasting Unit, and water resources engineer Anthony Burdock, left, measure the snowpack in January at Phillips Station in the Sierra Nevada. The crucial April snow survey conducted Tuesday morning showed above-average Sierra snowpack. “Average is awesome,” California Department of Water Resources Director Karla …

Opinion: California has to conserve water. Why is Sacramento dragging its heels?
8 months, 3 weeks ago

Opinion: California has to conserve water. Why is Sacramento dragging its heels?

LA Times  

State law set in motion a process of setting of standards for indoor and outdoor water use that utilities and consumers can meet in flexible ways. That legislation established a framework for creating long-term water-use efficiency standards for urban water suppliers that would govern indoor use, allowable water loss and outdoor use. Because the water board’s latest plan for implementing …

Editorial: L.A. may not get another wet winter for a while. We should prepare for drier times
9 months ago

Editorial: L.A. may not get another wet winter for a while. We should prepare for drier times

LA Times  

A wet February weekend, as shown in this Feb. 4 photo of the Grammy Awards ceremony at L.A. Live in downtown Los Angeles, gave way to a wet March as the 2024 Southern California rainy season drew to a close. The Los Angeles Department of Water and Power captured and stored more than 13.5 billion gallons of stormwater in February …

California doubles State Water Project allocation thanks to February storms
9 months ago

California doubles State Water Project allocation thanks to February storms

LA Times  

On the heels of a soaking start to 2024, state water managers on Friday announced a considerable increase in their forecasted water allocation for the year. “Mid- to late February storms have since improved hydrological conditions particularly for Northern California, allowing for a more robust water supply allocation,” the agency said in a statement. Nemeth said similarly that “DWR continues …

California’s rainy season is here. What does it mean for water supply?
10 months ago

California’s rainy season is here. What does it mean for water supply?

Associated Press  

LOS ANGELES — After a dry start to winter, California’s rainy season is finally well under way. Share Share Copy Link copied Email Facebook X Reddit LinkedIn Pinterest Flipboard Print Email Facebook X Reddit LinkedIn Pinterest Flipboard Print WHAT ABOUT SNOW? A man shovels snow off his car in the Cleveland National Forest, on Feb. 7, 2024, in eastern San …

The Sierra’s remarkable recovery: ‘Snow drought’ fears overturned in a flash
10 months ago

The Sierra’s remarkable recovery: ‘Snow drought’ fears overturned in a flash

LA Times  

Concerns that California might remain in a “ snow drought ” this winter have eased after a series of storms this month blanketed the Sierra Nevada with a near-average amount of snow for this time of year. “Overall, I’m not worried about drought for the rest of this year,” said Jay Lund, a professor emeritus and vice director of the …

California is in a ‘snow drought.’ Why this week’s atmospheric rivers won’t be enough to end it
10 months, 3 weeks ago

California is in a ‘snow drought.’ Why this week’s atmospheric rivers won’t be enough to end it

LA Times  

Despite forecasts of heavy rain and possible flooding in the coming days, state water managers are warning that the “snow drought” in California’s Sierra Nevada could remain for the rest of the winter and into the spring. Swain said while it’s hard to predict how the snowpack will turn out, this year could end up with a below-average snowpack “because …

Groundwater depletion is worsening worldwide. Parts of California are suffering rapid declines
10 months, 4 weeks ago

Groundwater depletion is worsening worldwide. Parts of California are suffering rapid declines

LA Times  

From California’s Central Valley to the croplands of Iran, groundwater depletion has accelerated over the last four decades across the world’s arid food-producing regions. Groundwater levels have rapidly declined in many areas, while some aquifers' levels have risen since 2000 Median change in groundwater depth per year, in meters Deeper Shallower >1 1 0.1 0 0.1 1 >1 Reno NEVADA …

‘Snow drought’ grips California and western United States, despite recent storms
11 months, 3 weeks ago

‘Snow drought’ grips California and western United States, despite recent storms

LA Times  

Although recent storms have thrashed the California coastline and boosted reservoir levels, the downpours have so far failed to deposit significant snowpack in the Sierra Nevada, which experts say is in the grips of a severe, early season “snow drought.” December’s powerful storms delivered super-sized waves and record-setting rainfall in California, but most of it fell in coastal areas, and …

California begins 2024 with below-normal snowpack a year after one of the best starts in decades
11 months, 3 weeks ago

California begins 2024 with below-normal snowpack a year after one of the best starts in decades

Associated Press  

LOS ANGELES — California is beginning 2024 with a below-normal mountain snowpack a year after it had one of its best starts in decades, and officials said Tuesday that the weather whiplash has made the outcome of this winter uncertain. The water content of the statewide snowpack was 25% of the average to date, said Sean de Guzman, a water …

There’s no drought anywhere in California: How long that’s expected to last, and why
1 year, 1 month ago

There’s no drought anywhere in California: How long that’s expected to last, and why

LA Times  

Agribusiness consultant Mark Grewel stands on a farm road that was flooded near Corcoran after heavy rains in the San Joaquin Valley last March. “For the most part, California had been drought-free” for weeks, but “a little smidgen” remained, said Brian Fuchs, a climatologist at the National Drought Mitigation Center at the University of Nebraska. Part of the reason for …

Officials urge California residents to brace for flooding as El Niño looms
1 year, 2 months ago

Officials urge California residents to brace for flooding as El Niño looms

LA Times  

With California facing the prospect of a second consecutive winter of heavy precipitation, state officials are urging residents to prepare for possible widespread flooding and evacuations in the coming months. Among the efforts is the Lower Elkhorn Basin Levee Setback Project, a $280-million endeavor that, in conjunction with a weir widening project from the Army Corps of Engineers, will send …

California’s epic rain year boosted groundwater levels, but not enough to recoup losses
1 year, 2 months ago

California’s epic rain year boosted groundwater levels, but not enough to recoup losses

LA Times  

California’s extraordinarily wet year brought the state vast quantities of water that have soaked into the ground and given a substantial boost to the state’s groundwater supplies, but not nearly enough to reverse long-term losses from over-pumping in many areas, according to a new state report. Groundwater levels, while recovering, are still lower than the period after the 2012-2016 drought.” …

California just experienced a ‘miracle’ water year. But winter could bring new challenges
1 year, 2 months ago

California just experienced a ‘miracle’ water year. But winter could bring new challenges

LA Times  

The typically parched, brown hills above Los Angeles are a vibrant shade of green — a rarity for early October. There’s a lot of work to continue to be done — particularly when it comes to flooding and protecting our communities.” This year’s soggy conditions were due primarily to 31 atmospheric river storms that unleashed torrents on the Golden State …

California is now practically drought-free, but we keep wasting so much rainwater
1 year, 3 months ago

California is now practically drought-free, but we keep wasting so much rainwater

LA Times  

A driver whose car stalled out on flooded Avenue 48 asks for help from a passerby during Tropical Storm Hilary. He still called Hilary’s rainfall “an unexpected boon” for Southern California’s local water supplies, but said too much of the storm’s water washed away — the latest reminder of the state’s urgent challenge to better capture rainwater to help refill …

What the data says (and doesn’t say) about drought
1 year, 6 months ago

What the data says (and doesn’t say) about drought

LA Times  

Good morning, and welcome to the Essential California newsletter. Even when drought conditions ease in California, the state’s long-term struggles with water scarcity and complex water challenges remain. You can see this winter’s effect essentially lifting the state out of “drought.” But it hasn’t been enough to level the long-term imbalance toward dry conditions. But at Southern California’s Pride parades, …

Winter storms boost Central Valley water supplies, but aquifer levels remain depleted
1 year, 6 months ago

Winter storms boost Central Valley water supplies, but aquifer levels remain depleted

LA Times  

Snow geese gather on a flooded farm near Dunnigan, in Yolo County, in January. The historic winter storms that filled California’s reservoirs and covered the Sierra Nevada with snow have brought a major boost to water supplies across Central Valley watersheds — an increase that measurements from NASA satellites show is the largest year-over-year gain in more than two decades …

California’s colossal snowpack has yet to melt: ‘Less and less places for that water to go’
1 year, 7 months ago

California’s colossal snowpack has yet to melt: ‘Less and less places for that water to go’

LA Times  

A man fishes through a hole cut in the ice at Crowley Lake on the opening day of trout season Saturday. “I know that’s hard to believe, but we’re getting into May and the peak is probably yet to come.” A Department of Water Resources crew conducted its fifth snow survey of the year Monday and determined that statewide snowpack …

Editorial: Drought and flood, California’s double whammy
1 year, 8 months ago

Editorial: Drought and flood, California’s double whammy

LA Times  

Just as federal officials were laying out alternative scenarios last week for steep water supply cuts from the Colorado River due to the drying Southwest, California officials were warning that this year’s historic Sierra snowpack could flood much of the state later this year. Lake Mead, and farther up the Colorado River, Lake Powell — Southern California’s two big out-of-state …

California ends some water limits after storms ease drought
1 year, 9 months ago

California ends some water limits after storms ease drought

The Independent  

For free real time breaking news alerts sent straight to your inbox sign up to our breaking news emails Sign up to our free breaking news emails Sign up to our free breaking news emails SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Gavin Newsom ended some of the state's water restrictions …

Newsom rolls back California drought restrictions after remarkably wet winter
1 year, 9 months ago

Newsom rolls back California drought restrictions after remarkably wet winter

LA Times  

A Rancho Cucamonga housing tract was among those where outdoor watering was restricted to one day a week during last year’s drought. Gavin Newsom on Friday announced that he will roll back some of the state’s most severe drought restrictions and dramatically increase water supplies for agencies serving 27 million people. “We’re modifying it as opposed to eliminating it because …

3 reasons why California's drought isn't really over, despite all the rain
1 year, 9 months ago

3 reasons why California's drought isn't really over, despite all the rain

NPR  

3 reasons why California's drought isn't really over, despite all the rain Enlarge this image toggle caption Ken James/California Department of Water Resources Ken James/California Department of Water Resources Ask a water expert if California's drought is finally done, and the answers sound something "Yes and no." "While we've seen some pretty fantastic wet weather and we've seen conditions improve, …

California’s snowpack is approaching an all-time record, with more on the way
1 year, 9 months ago

California’s snowpack is approaching an all-time record, with more on the way

LA Times  

California Department of Water Resources engineers take measurements during the agency’s snow survey in the Sierra Nevada in January. A remarkably wet winter has resulted in some of the deepest snowpack California has ever recorded, providing considerable drought relief and a glimmer of hope for the state’s strained water supply. “I know the question of the day is going to …

California drought levels recede in the face of winter storms
1 year, 9 months ago

California drought levels recede in the face of winter storms

Al Jazeera  

About half of the state has been lifted out of drought conditions by a series of storms that have drenched the region. California has seen drought levels recede after a series of winter storms pummeled the western United States with snow and rainfall, a boon to a state where extreme drought and water access have been a persistent concern. As …

Winter storms ease drought conditions in California, report shows
1 year, 9 months ago

Winter storms ease drought conditions in California, report shows

LA Times  

California’s remarkably wet winter has helped ease drought conditions considerably, with large swaths of the state — including the coast of Humboldt County, much of the snow-capped Sierra Nevada and the Santa Monica Mountains north of Malibu — no longer considered to be in drought, according to federal officials. According to their mapping, which includes data on hydrology, soil moisture …

California storms improve initial federal water allocations
1 year, 10 months ago

California storms improve initial federal water allocations

Associated Press  

LOS ANGELES — After early winter storms put a dent in California’s drought, officials Wednesday cautiously announced a jump in initial allocations of federally controlled water to agricultural, municipal and industrial users of the Central Valley Project system. Nine atmospheric river storms from late December into January greatly improved the water supply outlook following three years of record drought, U.S. …

With all this rain and snow, can California really still be in a drought? Look deeper
1 year, 10 months ago

With all this rain and snow, can California really still be in a drought? Look deeper

LA Times  

Lake Oroville, seen at the beginning of February, is one of the state’s largest reservoirs and currently at 71% capacity following the January storms. “We’re in better shape than we were two months ago, but we’re not out of the woods.” California Photos: Two atmospheric river storms descend on California California’s deadly storm season continued Friday as the first of …

California’s snowpack is melting faster than ever before, leaving less available water
1 year, 10 months ago

California’s snowpack is melting faster than ever before, leaving less available water

LA Times  

For decades, Californians have depended on the reliable appearance of spring and summer snowmelt to provide nearly a third of the state’s supply of water. “So we should start thinking about how we are going to deal with this, because we expect more dry periods in a warmer climate and we expect more fire in the mountains, so it’s giving …

Column: Rains and flooding leave claims of California drought high and dry
1 year, 10 months ago

Column: Rains and flooding leave claims of California drought high and dry

LA Times  

A pedestiran wades through a flooded neighborhood in Aptos in Northern California in January. Two words that government officials always try to avoid saying are “drought’s over” — even when there’s flooding. The definition of drought that I learned in school is pretty much the same as the ones I found in a Google search: “A prolonged period of abnormally …

California has huge snowpack, but dry trend raises worries
1 year, 10 months ago

California has huge snowpack, but dry trend raises worries

Associated Press  

LOS ANGELES — The mountain snowpack that supplies a significant amount of California’s water got an incredible boost from recent powerful storms and is outpacing the state’s wettest season on record, state water officials said Wednesday. “Our snowpack is off to an incredible start, and it’s exactly what California needs to really help break from our ongoing drought,” said Sean …

Epic California snowpack is now the deepest it’s been in decades
1 year, 10 months ago

Epic California snowpack is now the deepest it’s been in decades

LA Times  

California Department of Water Resources engineers take snow measurements in the Sierra Nevada Mountains in early January, during a time of heavy storms. “Our snowpack is off to an incredible start, and it’s exactly what California needs to really help break from our ongoing drought,” DWR snow survey manager Sean de Guzman said. The state’s snowpack is currently outpacing the …

States miss deadline to address Colorado River water crisis; pressure builds on California
1 year, 10 months ago

States miss deadline to address Colorado River water crisis; pressure builds on California

LA Times  

Water levels in Lake Powell have been dropping during the past 23 years of drought in the Colorado River Basin. In announcing the proposal Monday, Tom Buschatzke, director of the Arizona Department of Water Resources, called it a key step in the “ongoing dialogue” among the seven states “as we continue to seek a collaborative solution to stabilize the Colorado …

California winter storms boost water allocations for cities
1 year, 10 months ago

California winter storms boost water allocations for cities

Associated Press  

SACRAMENTO, Calif. — Weeks of historic rainfall in California won’t be enough to end a severe drought, but it will provide public water agencies serving 27 million people with much more water than the suppliers had been told to expect a month ago, state officials announced Thursday. “We’re not out of drought in California, but this certainly makes a significant …

California to get major boost in water supplies after January storms
1 year, 10 months ago

California to get major boost in water supplies after January storms

LA Times  

California water agencies that serve 27 million people will see an increased allocation of supplies from the state after a series of winter storms boosted reservoirs and snowpack, officials announced Thursday. “But make no mistake, while the recent storms will help alleviate the acute emergency in areas dependent on supplies from the State Water Project, Southern California’s water challenges are …

More rain, snow in California from ninth in series of storms
1 year, 11 months ago

More rain, snow in California from ninth in series of storms

Associated Press  

LOS ANGELES — The ninth atmospheric river in a three-week series of major winter storms was churning through California on Monday, leaving mountain driving dangerous and the flooding risk high near swollen rivers even as the sun came out in some areas. The University of California Berkeley Central Sierra Snow Lab tweeted Monday morning that it had recorded 49.6 inches …

Last in series of deadly California storms dumps 50 inches of snow in just three days
1 year, 11 months ago

Last in series of deadly California storms dumps 50 inches of snow in just three days

The Independent  

Sign up to the Independent Climate email for the latest advice on saving the planet Get our free Climate email Get our free Climate email SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy policy The last in a three-week series of major winter storms was churning through California on …

California gets more rain and snow, but dry days are ahead
1 year, 11 months ago

California gets more rain and snow, but dry days are ahead

Associated Press  

LOS ANGELES — More rain and snow fell during the weekend in storm-battered California, making travel dangerous and prompting evacuation warnings over flooding concerns along a swollen river near Sacramento. Bands of gusty thunderstorms started Saturday in the north and spread south, with yet another atmospheric river storm following close behind Sunday, the National Weather Service said. The University of …

Storm-battered California gets more wind, rain and snow
1 year, 11 months ago

Storm-battered California gets more wind, rain and snow

The Independent  

For free real time breaking news alerts sent straight to your inbox sign up to our breaking news emails Sign up to our free breaking news emails Please enter a valid email address Please enter a valid email address SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Please try again later {{ …

California downpours won't fix decades of drought: Scientists
1 year, 11 months ago

California downpours won't fix decades of drought: Scientists

The Hindu  

Near-record rainfall has battered California for weeks, sparking floods and landslides as the state struggles to cope with so much water. But scientists say even this much precipitation won't reverse the western US state's decades-long drought. Aquifers in deficit Beyond its reservoirs and snow reserves, the state faces a much deeper-seated problem with its depleted groundwater, says Nicholas Pinter, a …

California suddenly has so much snow. But even this extraordinary bounty isn’t enough
1 year, 11 months ago

California suddenly has so much snow. But even this extraordinary bounty isn’t enough

LA Times  

The California Department of Water Resource’s forecasting chief, Sean de Guzman, left, and engineer Andy Reising measure Sierra Nevada snowpack near Lake Tahoe on Jan. 3. “We’ve had quite a deficit because of the drought, so we’re seeing steep inclines right now in storage, and hope that continues as we see these storms and that we can get back to …

California storms ‘significantly reduced’ drought intensity, yet still more rain is needed
1 year, 11 months ago

California storms ‘significantly reduced’ drought intensity, yet still more rain is needed

CNN  

CNN — For three years, California has been in desperate need of rain. But the past several weeks of rain and snow have “significantly reduced” the state’s drought intensity, according the US Drought Monitor’s latest report. “But from a reservoir standpoint, we’d rather have it than not have it.” The recent storms have been replenishing the state’s water supply, according …

Nearly all of California exits the worst drought categories in U.S. Drought Monitor
1 year, 11 months ago

Nearly all of California exits the worst drought categories in U.S. Drought Monitor

LA Times  

The latest update from the U.S. Drought Monitor showed an extraordinary sight: Deep splotches of dark red and purple signifying the worst levels of drought have been erased from California’s map almost completely. “We’re definitely looking to be in a better situation than we were last year, where everything shut off for a good three months, and there will be …

half a year’s rainfall in weeks
1 year, 11 months ago

half a year’s rainfall in weeks

The Independent  

Sign up to the Independent Climate email for the latest advice on saving the planet Get our free Climate email Get our free Climate email SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy policy Parts of California have received over half their annual rainfall in the past two weeks …

EXPLAINER: How much will the rain help California’s drought?
1 year, 11 months ago

EXPLAINER: How much will the rain help California’s drought?

Associated Press  

California has experienced a devastating, multi-year drought that’s depleted reservoirs, forced officials to plead with residents to conserve water and constrained supplies to vital farmland. And the rain and snow won’t be enough to fix some of California’s long-term water problems that climate change is making worse. “What we’ve got so far puts us in good shape, probably for at …

How California’s deadly storm is not enough to reverse the historic drought
1 year, 11 months ago

How California’s deadly storm is not enough to reverse the historic drought

Firstpost  

Dry California, which has been fighting drought for years, is witnessing torrential rainfall. Earlier last year, California water officials slashed State Water Project allocations from 15 per cent to 5 per cent of normal for water agencies serving roughly 27 million people and 750,000 acres of farmland. In late November, federal water managers warned the state to prepare for a …

Will California’s extreme storms offset its years-long drought?
1 year, 11 months ago

Will California’s extreme storms offset its years-long drought?

Al Jazeera  

The US state has been hit by heavy rain and flooding, but experts warn it may not be enough to counteract climate change. Located on the West Coast of the United States, California — the country’s most populous state — has experienced a devastating, multiyear drought that has depleted reservoirs, forced officials to plead with residents to conserve water and …

Discover Related