Phillips Station snow pack measured at 68% of average; Mt. Rose at 86%

SOUTH LAKE TAHOE, Calif. - In their third snow survey of the season at Phillips Station near Sierra-at-Tahoe on March 1, the Department of Water Resources (DWR) measured 35 inches of snow depth and a snow water equivalent of 16 inches, which is 68 percent of average for this location for March.

The snow water equivalent measures the amount of water contained in the snowpack and is a key component of DWR’s water supply forecast. Statewide, the snowpack is 63 percent of average for this date.

The manual survey at the top of Mt. Rose was conducted Monday. Hydrologist Jeff Anderson measured the snow depth at 76 inches with a snow water equivalent of 27 inches. This is 86 percent of the March average at the Mt. Rose site.

The Phillips Station measurement is taken at a lower elevation level than Mt. Rose.

After record snowfall in December, the Sierra had very dry conditions in January and Febuary, normally the two biggest months of snowfall of the year. What is helping the water year though is the record rainfall measured in the Sierra in October.

This water year is unique according to Anderson because of that precipiation which is not reflected in the snowfall totalls. He said the October rain gave a positive affect on soil moisture and flow of rivers and creeks. Anderson said the Carson River has been flowing much better than last year, and Lake Tahoe is a foot higher now than in the low point last fall. During the winter of 20/21 the measurement of the lake declined throughout the winter.

"It could have been worse," explained Anderson of the below average snowpack which trended toward a third year of drought. With the driest January and Febuary on recent records, things weren't looking good for the summer.

“With only one month left in California’s wet season and no major storms in the forecast, Californians should plan for a third year of drought conditions,” said DWR Director Karla Nemeth. “A significantly below-average snowpack combined with already low reservoir levels make it critical that all Californians step up and conserve water every day to help the state meet the challenges of severe drought.”

Although early season storms helped alleviate some drought impacts, a lack of storms in January and February heightens the need for conservation, according to DWR. Governor Newsome has asked all Californians to cut back water use at least 15 percent compared to 2020 levels. Regionally, the Northern, Central, and Southern Sierra snowpacks are all standing just above 59 percent to 66 percent of average for this date, impacting watersheds across the state.

Current water conditions are now available in real time at California Water Watch, a new website launched by DWR. This website will help Californians see their local hydrological conditions, forecasts, and water conditions down to their address or their local watershed. The site presents data from a variety of sources and allows the public to obtain a quick snapshot of local and statewide water conditions.

“With below average precipitation and snowpack up until this point, our latest statewide snowmelt forecasts are only 66 percent of average,” said Sean de Guzman, Manager of DWR’s Snow Surveys and Water Supply Forecasting Unit. “That is not enough to fill up our reservoirs. Without any significant storms on the horizon, it’s safe to say we’ll end this year dry and extend this drought a third year.”