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Home My WebLink AboutDWR - Water Conditions in CA Report 2 r r r I/ r/ r i/✓G!/i r%�/r � // �i /r rijir// ✓ L rr/ll6j/ I i G uStATR STATE OF CALIFORNIA Edmund G. Brown, Jr., Governor CALIFORNIA NATURAL RESOURCES AGENCY John Laird, Secretary for Natural Resources Department of Water Resources William A. Croyle Acting Director Cindy Messer Gary B. Bardini Taryn Ravazzini Katherine S. Kishaba Chief Deputy Director Deputy Director Deputy Director Deputy Director Mark E. Anderson Christy Jones Cathy L. Crothers Acting Deputy Director Acting Deputy Director Chief Counsel Division of Flood Management Eric Koch.................................................................................Chief, Division of Flood Management MauryRoos.............................................................................................................State Hydrologist Jon Ericson..........................................................................Chief, Hydrology and Flood Operations Sudhakar Talanki.........................................................................................Chief, Hydrology Branch Prepared by Frank Gehrke...........................................................................................Chief, Coop Snow Surveys Dave Rizzardo..................................................................................................Chief, Snow Surveys SeanDeGuzman.........................................................................................................Engineer, W.R. StephenNemeth.........................................................................................................Engineer, W.R. JohnKing....................................................................................................................Engineer, W.R. AndrewReising...........................................................................................................Engineer, W.R. Matt Winston............................................................................................Senior Meteorologist, W.R. COOPERATING AGENCIES Public Agencies State Water Project Contractors Buena Vista water Storage District Municipalities East Bay Municipal Utility District City of Bakersfield Water Department Eldorado Irrigation District City of Los Angeles Department of Water and Power Friant Water Users Association City and County of San Francisco Hetch Hetchy Water and Power Kaweah Delta Water Conservation District State Agencies Kern Delta Water District University of California Kings River Conservation District Central Sierra Snow Laboratory Lower Tule River Irrigation District Scripps Institution of Oceanography Merced Irrigation District California Department of f=orestry&Fire Protection Modesto Irrigation District California Department of Water Resources Nevada Irrigation District Public Utilities North Kern Water Storage District Pacific Gas and Electric Company Northern California Power Agency Southern California Edison Company Oakdale Irrigation District Federal Agencies Omochumne-Hartnell Water District U.S.Department of Agriculture Placer County Water Agency Forest Service(14 National Forests) Sacramento Municipal Utility District Natural Resource Conservation Service San Joaquin River Exchange Contractors Water Authority U.S.Department of Commerce South Feather Water and Power Agency National Weather Service South San Joaquin Irrigation District U.S.Department of Interior Tri-Dam Project Bureau of Reclamation Truckee River Basin Water Commission Geological Survey,Water Resources Tulare Lake Basin Water Storage District National Park Service(3 National Parks) Turlock Irrigation District U.S.Department of Army Yuba County Water Agency Corps of Engineers Private Organizations National Aeronautics and Space Administration J.G.Boswell Company Jet Propulsion Laboratory Kaweah and St.Johns River Association Other Cooperative Programs Kings River Water Association Nevada Cooperative Snow Surveys Tule River Association Oregon Cooperative Snow Surveys SUMMARY OF WATER CONDITIONS March 1, 2017 Wet conditions prevailed for the third month in a row; in fact a new record for February runoff was set on many Sierra rivers and flood operations were the norm. Median forecasts for the water year are only a bit below that of 1983, the wettest year of record. It will be a challenge to safely convey the excess snowmelt through Central Valley rivers to the sea. Forecasts of median April through July runoff are expected to be 180 percent of average compared to last year's forecast of 80 percent and an eventual snowmelt season runoff of 75 percent. The 2016 water year runoff was about 90 percent of average; the water year forecast this year is at 220 percent. The higher percentages are in the southern Sierra. Snowpack water content is excellent at 185 percent of average, the fifth highest of record since 1950. The highest for March 1 was in 1969 at about 265 percent; last year we had 90 percent on this date. Current amounts range from 135 percent in the North Coast region to 255 percent in the South Lahontan region. Precipitation from October through February was 190 percent of average statewide compared to about average at 100 percent last year. The lowest percentages are in the northwest and the southeast regions. Runoff to date has been much above average in almost all regions; last year at this time it was 85 percent. Estimated February runoff was 395 percent with some widespread flooding. Estimated runoff of the eight major rivers of the Sacramento-San Joaquin River region in February was 12.8 million acre-feet. Reservoir storage is about 120 percent of average, greatly improved from about 70 percent last year and also 70 percent in 2015 on March 1. SUMMARY OF WATER CONDITIONS IN PERCENT OF AVERAGE HYDROLOGIC REGION PRECIPITATION MARCH 1 MARCH 1 RUNOFF APR-JULY WATER YEAR OCTOBER 1 TO SNOW WATER RESERVOIR OCTOBER 1 RUNOFF RUNOFF l DATE CONTENT STORAGE TO DATE FORECAST FORECAST NORTH COAST 165 135 110 200 135 165 SAN FRANCISCO RAY 200 - 120 260 - - CENTRAL COAST 195 - 100 325 - -- SOUTH COAST 175 -- 95 105 - - ^^^^^----- SACRAMENTO RIVER 200 160 120 ---- ^280 .^160 210 ' SAN JOAQUIN RIVER 215 205 135 425 195 245 TULARE LAKE 215 225 160 305 215 230 NORTH LAHONTAN 235 210 135 370 225 245 SOUTH LAHONTAN 165 255 105 90 195 160 COLORADO RIVER- 170 -- - - - DESERT STATEWIDE 190 185 120 270 180 220 1 DEPARTMENT OF WATER RESOURCES CALIFORNIA COOPERATIVE SNOW SURVEYS SEASONAL PRECIPITATION IN PERCENT OF AVERAGE TO DATE October 1 , 2016 through February 28, 2017 SzJ%A'A N NC NL Statewide %190 165% S R 35% 0100 '10 J11 S�F 200% 215% TR T SL ,15% cc 165% Hydrologic Regions 19506 NC - North, Coast SF - San Francisco Bay SCR CC CC - Central Coast 170% SC - South Coast SR - Sacramento River 175% SJ - San Joaquin TL - Tulare Lake NL - North Lahontan SL - South Lahontan CR - Colorado River-Desert WATER YEAR IS OCTOBER 1 THROUGH SEPTEMBER 30 DEPARTMENT OF WATER RESOURCES CALIFORNIA COOPERATIVE SNOW SURVEYS FORECAST OF APRIL - JULY UNIMPAIRED SNOWMELT RUNOFF March 1, 2017 Legend SCOTT 13 100% Runoff forecast in percent of normal ofrh UPPER SACRAMENTO 131% TRINITY 1315^ FEATHER 166% N YUBA 169* TRUCKEE 224% AMERICAN 197* 71 TAHOE 216% CARSON 222% COSUMNEs 216 WALKER 222% MOKELUMNE 184 MONO* 185% STANISLAUS 19 51 A N TUOLUMNE 191 o OWENS 198% MERCED 19 o SAN JOAQUIN 20 KINGS 191 b KAWEAH 1,9 0 TULE 23 % ,""0 KERN 269% FORECAST BY DEPARTMENT OF WATER AND POWER, CITY OF LOS ANGELES 3 MARCH 1, 2017 FORECASTS APRIL-JULY UNIMPAIRED RUNOFF Unimpaired Runoff in 1,000 Acre-Feet (1) HYDROLOGIC REGION HISTORICAL FORECAST and Watershed 50 Yr Max Min of Apr-Jul Pct 80% Avg of E Record Forecasts of Probability (2) Record I (11) Avg Range(1) North Coast Trinity River at Lewiston Lake 639 1,593 80 860 135% 530 - 1,100 SACRAMENTO RIVER Upper Sacramento River Sacramento River at Delta above Shasta Lake 295 751 39 350 119% McCloud River above Shasta Lake 385 850 185 470 122% Pit River near Montgomery Creek+Squaw Creek 1,020 2,098 480 1,370 134% Total Inflow to Shasta Lake 1,756 3,525 711 2,300 131% 1,860 - 3,200 Sacramento River above Bend Bridge,near Red Bluff 2,421 5,117 943 3,250 134% 2,620 - 4,680 Feather River Feather River at lake Almanor near Prattville (3) 333 675 120 520 156% North Fork at Pulga (3) 1,028 2,416 243 1,640 160% Middle Fork near Clio (4) 86 518 4 145 169% South Fork at Ponderosa Dam (3) 110 267 13 185 168% Feather River at Oroville 1,704 4,676 378 2,830 166% 2,230 - 3,980 Yuba River North Yuba below Goodyears Bar 279 647 51 460 165% Inflow to Jackson Mdws and Bowman Reservoirs (3) 112 236 25 180 161% South Yuba at Langs Crossing (3) 233 481 57 360 155% Yuba River near Smartsville plus Deer Creek 968 2,424 151 1,640 169% 1,280 - 2,210 American River North Fork at North Fork Dam (3) 262 716 43 500 191% Middle Fork near Auburn (3) 522 1,406 100 1,000 192% Silver Creek Below Camino Diversion Dam (3) 173 386 37 340 197% American River below Folsom Lake 1,199 3,074 185 2,360 197% 1,910 - 3,190 SAN JOAQUIN RIVER Cosumnes River at Michigan Bar 125 446 8 270 216% 210 - 420 Mokelumne River North Fork near West Point (5) 437 829 104 770 176% Total Inflow to Pardee Reservoir 457 1,076 75 840 184% 720 - 1,080 Stanislaus River Middle Fork below Beardsley Dam (3) 334 702 64 640 192% North Fork Inflow to McKays Point Dam (3) 224 503 34 440 196% Stanislaus River below Goodwin Reservoir(9) 682 1,710 116 1,340 196% 1,170 - 1,790 Tuolumne River Cherry Creek&Eleanor Creek near Hatch Hetchy 315 727 97 580 184% Tuolumme River near Hetch Hetchy 604 1,392 153 1,110 184% Tuolumne River below La Grange Reservoir(9) 1,193 2,682 301 2,280 191% 2,020 - 2,900 Merced River Merced River at Pohono Bridge 372 888 80 710 191% Merced River below Merced Falls(9) 623 1,587 104 1,230 197% 1,090 - 1,580 San Joaquin River San Joaquin River at Mammoth Pool (7) 1,026 2,279 235 2,000 195% Big Creek below Huntington Lake (8) 91 264 11 185 203% South Fork near Florence Lake (7) 201 511 58 380 189% San Joaquin River inflow to Millerton Lake 1,228 3,355 193 2,460 200% 2,180 - 3,050 TULARE LAKE Kings River North Fork Kings River near Cliff Camp (3) 239 565 50 480 201% Kings River below Pine Flat Reservoir 1,210 3,113 208 2,370 196% 2,090 - 2,960 Kaweah River below Terminus Reservoir 285 814 42 550 193% 490 - 750 Tule River below Lake Success 63 259 1 145 230% 125 - 220 Kern River Kern River near Kernville 384 1,203 83 990 258% Kern River inflow to Lake Isabella 458 1,657 57 1,230 269% 1,120 - 1,530 (1)See inside back cover for definition (5)36 year average based on years 1936-72 (2)All 50 year averages are based on years 1966-2015 (6)45 year average based on years 1936-81 unless otherwise noted (7)50 year average based on years 1953-2002 (3)50 year average based on years 1941-90 (8)50 year average based on years 1946-1995 (4)44 year average based on years 1936-79 4 MARCH 1, 2017 FORECASTS WATER YEAR UNIMPAIRED RUNOFF Unimpaired Runoff in 1,000 Acre-Feet (1) HISTORICAL DISTRIBUTION FORECAST 50 Yr Max Min of Oct Water Pct 80% Avg of Record Thru Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Year of Probability (2) Record (11) Jan Forecasts Avg Range (1) 1348 2990 200 608 483 220 270 330 205 55 17 12 2,200 163% 1,770 - 2,510 860 1,965 165 1,183 2,353 557 3,002 5,150 1,484 5,831 10,796 2,479 2,948 2,713 1,200 940 700 395 265 235 229 9,625 165% 8,865 - 11,180 8,544 17,180 3,294 4,917 3,883 1,750 1,355 960 560 375 305 305 14,410 169% 13,320 - 16,880 780 1,269 366 2,417 4,400 666 219 637 24 291 562 32 4,407 9,492 994 2,756 2,920 1,025 1,030 1,035 540 225 130 114 9,775 222% 8,905 - 11,445 564 1,056 102 181 292 30 379 565 98 2,268 4,926 369 1,838 1,495 480 520 635 395 90 35 27 5,515 243% 5,035 - 6,275 616 1,234 66 1,070 2,575 144 318 705 59 2,626 6,382 349 2,384 1,950 680 710 900 600 150 34 22 7,430 283% 6,835 - 8,520 379 1,253 20 413 433 140 135 90 37 8 .2 2 1,260 332% 1,165 - 1,490 626 1,009 197 748 1,848 129 424 408 140 200 310 270 60 11 7 1,830 245% 1,680 - 2,120 471 929 88 1,149 2,952 155 669 627 250 330 510 380 120 28 16 2,930 255% 2,630 - 3,680 461 1,147 123 770 1,661 258 1,909 4,631 383 1,048 829 360 470 720 725 365 70 28 4,615 242% 4,150 - 5,650 461 1,020 92 992 2,787 150 512 487 190 250 420 410 150 36 15 2,470 249% 2,215 - 3,065 1,337 2,964 308 112 298 14 248 653 71 1,793 4,642 327 700 530 290 450 740 820 450 135 45 4,160 232% 3,680 - 5,140 284 607 58 1,702 4,287 359 480 384 220 360 730 820 460 120 41 3,615 212% 3,290 - 4,310 451 1,402 89 158 163 90 115 180 180 75 21 8 990 220% 910 - 1,240 147 615 10 98 106 60 55 50 30 10 4 2 415 282% 385 - 525 558 1,577 163 728 2,318 130 184 228 180 210 430 360 230 90 58 1,970 271% 1,830 - 2,350 (9)Forecast point names based on USGS gage names,Stanislaus below Goodwin also known as inflow to New Melones,Tuolumne River below La Grange also known as inflow to Don Pedro,Merced River below Merced Falls also known as inflow to McClure. (10)Coordinated Forecast by National Weather Service Califomia-Nevada River Forecast Center and Department of Water Resources, State of California (11) For the tributaries,the period of record over which the minimum values are found does not include years after water y ear 2011. *Unimpaired runoff in months prior to forecast date are based on measured flows 5 MARCH 1, 2017 FORECASTS APRIL-JULY UNIMPAIRED RUNOFF Apr-Jul Unimpaired Runoff in 1,000 Acre-Feet(1) HYDROLOGIC REGION HISTORICAL FORECAST and Watershed 50 Yr Max Min Apr-Jul Pct Avg of of Forecasts of (2) Record Record Avg NORTH COAST Scott River Scott River nr Ft Jones(3) 173 398 22 233 135% Klamath River Total inflow to Upper Klamath Lake (4) 475 1,150 149 762 160% NORTH LAHONTAN Truckee River Lake Tahoe to Farad accretions 250 713 48 560 224% Lake Tahoe Rise(assuming gates closed,ft) 1.3 5.4 0.2 2.9 216% Carson River West Fork Carson River at Woodfords 52 135 10 110 212% East Fork Carson River near Gardnerville 182 407 43 410 225% Walker River West Walker River below Little Walker, near Coleville 153 330 35 300 196% East Walker River near Bridgeport 61 209 7 175 287% SOUTH LAHONTAN Owens River Total tributary flow to Owens River (5) 231 579 84 460 199% (1)See inside back cover for definition (2)All 50 year averages are based on years 1966-2015 unless otherwise noted (3)Forecast by National Weather Service California-Nevada River Forecast Center. 30 yr average(1981-2010) (4)Forecast by U.S.Natural Resources Conservation Service and National Weather Service Catifornia-Nevada River Forecast Center,April through September forecast, 30 year average based on years 1981-2010, (5)Forecast by Department of Water and Power,City of Los Angeles,average based on years 1965.2015 6 Snowpack Accumulation NORTH COAST REGION Water Content in % of April 1 Average SNOWPACK- First off the month measurements made 250 - .............. at 11 snow courses indicate an area wide snow water 225 ------ ----------- equivalent of 34.3 inches. This is 135 percent of the 200 :_:- -- -- March 1 average and 120 percent of the seasonal (April 175 1) average. Last year at this time the pack was holding 150 .......... .._.. 26.1 inches of water. 125 100...:............ -°- woo 50 ..__.... —. ...:.............. ...... - 25 . ...... .._ - - 0 . .,..................... Jan 1 Feb 1 Mar 1 Apr 1 May 1 PRECIPITATION- Seasonal precipitation (October 1 Precipitation through the end of last month) on this area was 165 October 1 to date in % of Average percent of normal. Precipitation last month was about 200 ----- -- ....... 210 percent of the monthly average. Seasonal precipitation at this time last year stood at 105 percent of 175 ......................... 15D --- j-- 17Z... / _ ._. normal. 125 ...-... ........ `... 100 .,.. 75 50 - 25 Smith Klamath Trinity Eel Russian Reservoir Storage Contents of major reservoirs in % of capacity RESERVOIR STORAGE- First of the month storage in 6 100 ...... .. . .................. .. ................ .. reservoirs was 2.4 million acre-feet which is 110 percent 80 -------- -------- - ----------.f •-__._-- - .- ---- ----- of average. About 80 percent of available capacity was ---- _= being used. Storage In these reservoirs at this time last � 60 ,r- ..........- .. year was 55 percent of average. 40 2a Klamath Trinity Eel Russian WY2016 c:1--. ::1.WY2017 V-- 10 Yr avg Runoff RUNOFF-Seasonal runoff of streams draining the area totaled 15.5 million acre-feet which is 220 percent of the October 1 to date in % of average average for this period. Last year, runoff for the same soo period was z100 percent of average. 3 250-+..................... ------------------------ ------------------ ...-- f- f zoo .....- -- - � . . .....-✓ - --..... 150 f�-------- -� /----- Il... 100 - --- --- -----' 50 - -- ...... - Klamath,Copca Trinily Eel Russian to Orelans 7 SACRAMENTO RIVER REGION Snowpack Accumulation Water Content in % of April 1 Average SNOWPACK- First of the month measurements made - - -. . at 68 snow courses indicate an area wide snow water 250 225 equivalent of 41.1 inches. This is 160 percent of the 200 - - March 1 average and 140 percent of the seasonal (April 175 . . .......... - - 1) average. Last year at this time the pack was holding 150 ................. - - 22.6 inches of water. 125 ....... 100 .::..... ... ..... ......... . .. ... ....... .... 75 r.._ .,... ........ 50 . ._ . ................ .................. ..................... .. _... 25 4 ..-.. Jan 1 Feb 1 Mar 1 Apr 1 May 1 PRECIPITATION- Seasonal precipitation (October 1 through the end of last month) on this area was 200 Precipitation percent of normal. Precipitation last month was about 255 percent of the monthly average. Seasonal October 1 to date in % of Average precipitation at this time last year stood at 80 percent of 250 j normal. 225 200 %,. .. ....% 175ISO 1 25 ... ... ... .,....... . .. . �... 100 -1.- %..... .. 75 50 25 ... % ... --. ....., Upper Feather Yuba American Mokelumne Sacramento Reservoir Storage RESERVOIR STORAGE- First of the month storage in 43 reservoirs was 13.2 million acre-feet Contents of major reservoirs in %of capacity which is 120 percent of average. About 80 percent 100 - / of available capacity was being used. Storage in ao these reservoirs at this time last year was 85 % percent of average. 60 40 .!. 20-1- - o / - - '_ Sacra Feather Yuba American Stony Cache Putah Mokelumn mento e Ittttttttttttt�WY2016 :fez;M2017 10 Yr Avg Runoff October 1 to date in %of average RUNOFF- Seasonal runoff of streams draining the area 450 - -- .. - - f - -- totaled 22.1 million acre-feet which is 280 percent of 400 % [77- average for this period. Last year, runoff for the same 350 - 300 250-- % period was 80 percent of average. _: % - The Sacramento Region 40-30-30 Water Supply Index 200-, % % %... -f. - - % is forecast to be 13.9 assuming median meteorological %. 150 % conditions for the remainder of the year. This classifies 100 % % / the year as "wet' in the Sacramento Valley according to 50-.. �` the State Water Resources Control Board. �. ...._ Shasta Inflow Feather Yuba American Mokelumne 8 SAN JOAQUIN RIVER AND TULARE LAKE Snowpack Accumulation REGIONS Water Content in % of April 1 Average SNOWPACK- f=irst of the month measurements made at 250 .. ..... ........ 61 San Joaquin Region snow courses indicate an area 225 - -- - - wide snow water equivalent of 54.3 inches. This is 205 zoo - percent of the March 1 average and 180 percent of 175 -- - - - ......... ...... ... .. seasonal (April 1) average. Last year at this time the 150 -- 125 ................ pack was holding 26 inches of water. At the same time -;,� ' 37 Tulare Lake Region snow courses indicated a basin- 75 . wide snow water equivalent of 47.4 inches which is 225 50 - . percent of the average for March 1 and 200 percent of 25 _ the seasonal average. Last year at this time the basin D ....... was holding 19.5 inches of water. Jan 1 Feb 1 Mar 1 Apr i May 1 PRECIPITATION- Seasonal precipitation (October 1 Precipitation through the end of last month) on the San Joaquin Region was 215 percent of normal. Precipitation last October 1 to date in % of Average month was about 260 percent of the monthly average. 300 - - ........ . Seasonal precipitation at this time last year stood at 105 percent of normal. Seasonal precipitation on the Tulare 250 .. .. --..- ..... Lake Region was 215 percent of normal. Precipitation zoo f f 1 last month was about 200 percent of the monthly 150 / average. Seasonal precipitation at this time last year 100 .. .... ... --. stood at 115 percent of normal. Stanislaus Merced Kings Tule Tuolumne San Joaquin Kaweah Kern RESERVOIR STORAGE- First of the month storage in 34 San Joaquin Region reservoirs was 9.6 million acre- Reservoir Storage feet which is 135 percent of average. About 85 percent Contents of major reservoirs in % of capacity of available capacity was being used. Storage at this iD0 ....... ............... . . .... . . ..... time last year was 60 percent of average. First of the f / month storage in 6 Tulare Lake Region reservoirs was 80 ........_ ... 7 ... / 1.4 million acre-feet which is 160 percent of average and sD ./.. , about 65 percent of available capacity. Storage at this aD ... . ... = .. time last year was 55 percent of average. 20 0 Stanislaus Merced Kings Tuolumne San Joaquin Kern WY2016 C/t=T WY2017 - Y- 10 Yr Avg RUNOFF- Seasonal runoff of streams draining the San Runoff Joaquin Region totaled 7.1 million acre-feet which is October 1 to date in % of average 425 percent of average for this period. Last year, runoff 450 for the same period was 80 percent of average. aoo / -- Seasonal runoff of streams draining the Tulare Lake 3Do / f' r % Basin totaled 1.8 million acre-feet which is 300 percent Z of average for this period. Last year runoff for this same 350 9 P Y / % f j.. period was 60 percent of average. The San Joaquin f ✓ /. . .-- zoo / f / / % Region 60-20-20 Water Supply Index is forecast to be 250 Iso ; / / 5.9 assuming75 percent meteorological conditions. This 100 / �.. / p g f classifies the year as "wet" in the San Joaquin Region 500 according to the State Water Resources Control Board. Stanislaus Merced Kings Tule Tuolumne San Joaquin Kaweah Kern 9 NORTH AND SOUTH LAHONTAN Snowpack Accumulation REGIONS Water Content in % of April 1 Average 250 - SNOWPACK-First of the month measurements made at 225 ............................ ..... ............ - 11 North Lahontan snow courses indicate an area wide 200 --- ... ...... .. .. ......... .._::.::::...._....._:::.:.:.- 175_--------------------------- .... snow water equivalent of 47.5 inches. This is 210 150-..................... ............................. ........................... percent of the March 1 average and 190 percent of 125 _.... .,.,:. . ....................... .................................. ... seasonal (April 1) average. Last year at this time the 100- _...:_, pack was holding 21.2 inches of water. At the same time 75 --------------- ------- ------ --- 16 South Lahontan Region snow courses indicated a 50 ------ - - - - --- -- - ----- - -- --- -- - . . basin-wide snow water equivalent of 45.8 inches which is - 255 percent of the average for March 1 and 220 percent Jan 1 Feb 1 Mar t Apr 1 May 1 of the seasonal average. Last year at this time the basin was holding 15.4 inches of water. Precipitation October 1 to date in % of Average PRECIPITATION- Seasonal precipitation (October 1 250 ._.... _. through the end of last month) on the North Lahontan 225 X f ..... was 235 percent of normal. Precipitation last month was ✓/ 200 about 305 percent of the monthly average. Seasonal 175 ;- f precipitation at this time Iasi year stood at 100 percent of . 125 ; ....._... normal. Seasonal precipitation on the South Lahontan 150 ........0 ---- ' /.........f.;. ' / / was 165 percent of normal Precipitation last month was -. 100 ,.. �. �.. ...../..:.........� .....-- 75-I about 185 percent of the monthly average. Seasonal 50 -i ..... precipitation at this time last year stood at 80 percent of 25 . .... - --- - ---- normal. o �.-- - -- -�- ----- /.... Surprise Tahoe- Carson- Mono Death Val- Mojave Valley Truckee Walker Owens ley Desert Reservoir Storage RESERVOIR STORAGE- First of the month storage in 5 North Lahontan reservoirs was 700 thousand acre-feet Contents of major reservoirs in % of capacity which is 135 percent of average. About 65 percent of 100 , available capacity was being used. Storage in these 80 . ........................... ................................................... reservoirs at this time last year was 15 percent of average. Lake Tahoe was 1.9 feet above its natural rim 60 " `- �� "� � �-� � '" on March 1- First of the month storage in 8 South __.. � .-..- ... � ... Lahontan reservoirs was 275 thousand acre-feet which is 105 percent of average and about 65 percent of 20 available capacity. Storage in these reservoirs at this o j / ---- time last year was 90 percent of average. Truckee East Walker Mono Basin Owens Basin WY2016 t-i.fa,WY2017 a 10 Yr Average Runoff RUNOFF- Seasonal runoff of streams draining the North Lahontan Region totaled 720 thousand acre-feet which October 1 to date in % of average is 370 percent of average for this period. Last year, 450 T runoff for the same period was 80 percent of average. 400 -...........I ..:.......... ......... 7, Seasonal runoff of the Owens River in the South 350 , Lahontan Region totaled 48 thousand acre-feet which is l 300 - -- 90 percent of average for this period. Last year runoff for 250 .....- -i - ....�..-- ✓/ ........................ 150 this same period was at 50 percent of average. 200 �' 100 - -.i--------------- -- - ------......�. ......� ....... 50 ---- Al------ - -- -------- E i ... .-._ / Truckee-Tahoe Carson Walker Owens to Farad 10 Precipitation SAN FRANCISCO BAY AND CENTRAL COAST REGIONS October 1 to date in % of Average 250 ..... ....... .. ..... zaa .... PRECIPITATION- Seasonal precipitation (October 1 through the end of last month) on the San Francisco 150 -- j- Bay Region was 200 percent of normal. Precipitation / e last month was about 270 percent of the monthly 100 ............. ....._ . .. �///... average. Seasonal precipitation at this time last year 50 .......... . - stood at 95 percent of normal. Seasonal precipitation on the Central Coast Region was 195 percent of normal. Precipitation last month was San Francisco Pajaro Salinas Santa Maria- about 260 percent of the monthly average. Seasonal Bay Santa Ynez precipitation at this time last year stood at 85 percent of Reservoir Storage normal. Contents of major reservoirs in % of capacity RESERVOIR STORAGE- First of the month storage in 17 San Francisco Bay Region reservoirs was 604 100 _.. _. . thousand acre-feet which is 120 percent of average. About 85 percent of available capacity was being used. t. Storage in these reservoirs at this time last year was 65 60 - ... .......... .... percent of average. 40 First of the month storage in 6 Central Coast Region ... / /� reservoirs was 630 thousand acre-feet which is 100 20, ,. _ ... ..._... percent of average and about 65 percent of available ro capacity. Storage in these reservoirs at this time last 0 '.._.. .._..._.. ......__ /--- year was 20 percent of average. North Bay Southeast Peninsula Salinas Santa Ynez Bay 1111111111111111111111111111111 WY2016 // 'WY2017 -V 10 Yr Avg Runoff RUNOFF- Seasonal runoff of the Napa River in the San October 1 to date in % of average Francisco Bay Region totaled 132 thousand acre-feet 350 ........ .. ............ which is 260 percent of average for this period, Last 300 ... .- % year, runoff for the same period was 40 percent of 250 f- average. Seasonal runoff of streams draining the .... Central Coast Region totaled 668 thousand acre-feet 200 %: % which is 325 percent of average for this period. Last 150 .:..............: / ..... year runoff for this same period was 25 percent of 100 -i.-- ..._... - ........._. .-., average. --- --------------- o Napa nr St.Helena Arroyo Seco nr Nacimiento Sotedad 11 SOUTH COAST AND COLORADO RIVER REGIONS PRECIPITATION- October through February (seasonal) precipitation on the South Coast Region was 175 percent of normal. February precipitation was 150 percent of the monthly average. Seasonal precipitation at this time last year was 55 percent of normal. Seasonal precipitation on the Colorado River-Desert Region was 170 percent of normal and last year's seasonal precipitation on the Colorado River-Desert Region was 160 percent of normal. Precipitation in February was 5 percent of average. RESERVOIR STORAGE- March 1 storage in 29 major South Coast Region reservoirs was 1.3 million acre-feet or 95 percent of average. About 65 percent of available capacity was being used. Storage in these reservoirs at this time last year was about 65 percent of average. On March 1 combined storage in Lakes Powell, Mead, Mohave and Havasu was about 24.3 million acre-feet or about 65 percent of average. About 45 percent of available capacity was in use. Last year at this time, these reservoirs were storing about 24.3 million acre-feet. RUNOFF-Seasonal runoff from selected South Coast Region streams is 99 thousand acre-feet for 105 percent of average. Seasonal runoff from these streams last year was 15 percent of average. COLORADO RIVER-The April -July inflow to Lake Powell is forecast to be 10.4 million acre-feet, which is 145 percent of average. The March 1 snowpack was 140 percent, highest in the Upper Green at 175 percent of average and lowest on the Yampa/White at 110 percent. 12 MAJOR WATER DISTRIBUTION PROJECTS RESERVOIR STORAGE (AVERAGES BASED ON 1951-2000 OR PERIOD RECORD) AVERAGE STORAGE AT END OF February RESERVOIR CAPACITY STORAGE 2016 2017 PERCENT PERCENT 1,000 AF 1,000 AF 1,000 AF 1,000 AF AVERAGE CAPACITY STATE WATER PROJECT Lake Oroville 3,538 2,442 1,865 2,706 111% 76% San Luis Reservoir(SWP) 1,062 914 577 1,068 117% 101% Lake Del Valle 77 35 30 40 115% 51% Lake Silverwood 78 67 60 70 104% 90% Pyramid Lake 180 163 164 165 101% 92% Castaic Lake 325 277 84 301 109% 93% Perris Lake 131 105 45 58 56% 44% CENTRAL VALLEY PROJECT Trinity Lake 2,448 1,771 854 1,922 109% 79% Lake Shasta 4,552 3,284 2,766 3,779 115% 83% Whiskeytown Lake 241 207 207 224 108% 93% Folsom Lake 977 537 606 404 75% 41% New Melones Reservoir 2,400 1,456 459 1,578 108% 66% Millerton Lake 520 335 268 421 126% 81% San Luis Reservoir (CVP) 971 786 312 923 117% 95% COLORADO RIVER PROJECT Lake Mead 26,159 19,321 10,360 10,838 56% 41% Lake Powell 24,322 16,732 11,224 11,217 67% 46% Lake Mohave 1,810 1,672 1,656 1,690 101% 93% Lake Havasu 648 555 552 586 106% 90% EAST BAY MUNICIPAL UTILITY DISTRICT Pardee Res 204 180 175 204 113% 100% Camanche Reservoir 417 250 111 396 158% 95% East Bay (4 res.) 159 130 118 146 112% 92% CITY AND COUNTY OF SAN FRANCISCO Hetch-Hetchy Reservoir 360 171 256 311 182% 86% Cherry Lake 268 155 124 238 153% 89% Lake Eleanor 29 11 3 22 197% 77% South Bay/Peninsula (4 res.) 238 166 145 181 109% 76% CITY OF LOS ANGELES (D.W.P.) Lake Crowley 183 126 120 128 102% 70% Grant Lake 48 28 11 27 98% 57% Other Aqueduct Storage (6 res.) 83 75 61 68 90% 81% 13 TELEMETERED SNOW WATER EQUIVALENTS March 1,2017 (AVERAGES BASED ON PERIOD RECORD) INCHES OF WATER EQUIVALENT BASIN NAME APRIL 1 PERCENT 24 HRS 1 WEEK STATION NAME ELEV AVERAGE Marl OF AVERAGE PREVIOUS PREVIOUS TRINITY RIVER Peterson Flat 7150' 29.2 44.2 151.5 44.0 42.7 Red Rock Mountain 6700' 39.6 66.9 169.0 66.8 64.6 Bonanza King 6450' 40.5 - - - - Shimmy Lake 6400' 40.3 - - - - Middle Boulder 3 6200' 28.3 - - - 22.1 Highland Lakes 6030' 29.9 34.9 116.8 35.2 35.6 Scott Mountain 5900' 16.0 24.4 152.2 24.4 23.8 Mumbo Basin 5650' 22.4 33.0 147.4 33.0 32.6 Big Flat 5100' 15.8 24.6 155.7 24.6 24.2 Crowder Flat 5100' - 4.0 - 3.8 3.0 SACRAMENTO RIVER Cedar Pass 7100' 18.1 20.7 114.4 20.8 19.5 Blacks Mountain 7050' 12.7 14.3 112.4 14.3 12.5 Sand Flat 6750' 42.4 40.1 94.6 40.0 38.5 Medicine Lake 6700' 32.6 38.1 117.0 38.3 36.7 Adin Mountain 6200' 13.6 20.2 148.5 20.5 18.2 Snow Mountain 5950' 27.0 42.6 157.8 42.4 39.7 Slate Creek 5700' 29.0 35.0 120.8 34.9 35.2 Stouts Meadow 5400' 36.0 40.2 111.7 40.0 38.0 FEATHER RIVER Lower Lassen Peak 8250' - - - - - Kettle Rock 7300' 25.5 44.2 173.2 44.0 41.8 Grizzly Ridge 6900' 29.7 40.3 135.8 40.1 38.4 Pilot Peak 6800' 52.6 64.3 122.2 64.2 62.1 Gold Lake 6750' 36.5 56.0 153.3 55.7 52.7 Humbug 6500' 28.0 46.9 167.6 46.8 45.0 Harkness Flat 6200' 28.5 32.7 114.6 32.7 32.0 Rattlesnake 6100' 14.0 30.6 218.6 30.5 28.1 Bucks Lake 5750' 44.7 45.1 100.9 45.0 43.8 Four Trees 5150' 20.0 22.8 114.0 22.7 22.4 EEL RIVER Hull Mountain 6461' --- - --- - - Noel Spring 5100' - 5.5 - 5.9 5.8 YUBA&AMERICAN RIVERS Schneiders 8750' 34.5 74.4 215.6 74.2 71.7 Lake Lois 6600' 39.5 - - - - Carson Pass 8353' -- 49.2 - 49.0 49.0 Caples Lake 8000' 30.9 53.0 171.7 52.9 50.5 Alpha 7600' 35.9 51.9 144.5 51.9 50.2 Forni Ridge 7600' 37.0 62.1 167.9 61.9 59.5 Meadow Lake 7200' 55.5 - - - - Silver Lake 7100' 22.7 40.3 177.6 40.2 38.2 Central Sierra Snow Lab 6900' 33.6 65.5 194.9 65.8 65.0 Van Vleck 6700' 35.9 66.5 185.2 66.5 65.2 Huysink 6600' 42.6 46.0 107.9 45.8 43.9 Robinson Cow Camp 6480' - 67.8 - 67.7 66.8 Robbs Saddle 5900' 21.4 27.4 128.1 27.4 26.0 Greek Store 5600' 21.0 30.4 144.6 30.4 28.3 Blue Canyon 5280' 9.0 20.2 224.6 20.2 19.5 Robbs Powerhouse 5150' 5.2 16.1 310.0 16.1 15.2 MOKELUMNE&STANISLAUS RIVERS Deadman Creek 9250' 37.2 57.2 153.9 57.2 55.8 Highland Meadow 8700' 47.9 86.5 180.5 87.0 87.9 Gianelli Meadow 8400' 55.5 73.8 133.0 73.8 71 A Lower Relief Valley 8100' 41.2 - - - - Blue Lakes 8000' 33.1 50.9 153.8 50.6 48.9 Stanislaus Meadow 7750' 47.5 72.0 151.6 71.9 70.1 Bloods Creek 7200' 35.5 43.3 122.0 43.3 42.4 Black Springs 6500' 32,0 33.8 105.8 33.8 32.4 TUOLUMNE&MERCED RIVERS Dana Meadows 9800' 27.7 48.4 174.6 48.6 48.6 Slide Canyon 9200' 41.1 71.2 173.2 71.0 68.8 Tuolumne Meadows 8600' 22.6 44.8 198.3 44.7 43.9 Horse Meadow 8400' 48.6 86.2 177.4 86.3 83.6 Ostrander Lake 8200' 34.8 - - - - Lake Tenaya 8150' 33.1 63.0 190.2 62.9 62.3 White Wolf 7900' - 51.0 - 51.0 50.6 Paradise Meadow 7650' 41.3 67.2 162.6 66.8 67.6 Gin Flat 7050' 34.2 - - - --- Lower Kibbie Ridge 6700' 27.4 28.6 104.2 28.6 28.2 14 SAN JOAQUIN RIVER Volcanic Knob 10050' 30.1 54.3 180.3 54.4 54.2 Agnew Pass 9450' 32.3 55.3 171.1 55.4 56.7 Kaiser Point 9200' 37.8 66.2 175.2 65.8 62.9 Green Mountain 7900' 30.8 58.2 169.0 58.1 57.2 Devil's Postpile 7569' - 40.0 - 40.4 43.0 Tamarack Summit 7550' 30.5 46.4 152.3 46.3 45.0 Chilkoot Meadow 7150' 38.0 47.4 124.7 47.3 46.1 Huntington Lake 7000' 20.1 31.3 155.8 31.2 30.0 Graveyard Meadow 6900' 18.8 - - - - Poison Ridge 6900' 28.9 41.6 144.1 41.3 39.2 KINGS RIVER Bishop Pass 11200' 34.0 34.7 102.0 34.7 34.5 Charlotte Lake 10400' 27.5 - - - --- State Lakes 10300' 29.0 57.7 199.1 57.7 56.1 Blackcap Basin 10300' 34.3 - - - - Mitchell Meadow 9900' 32.9 - - - - Upper Burnt Corral 9700' 34.6 55.4 160.1 55.8 57.3 West Woodchuck Meadow 9100' 32.8 65.2 196.9 65.1 63.5 Big Meadows 7600' 25.9 36.6 141.3 36.6 36.8 KAWEAH&TULE RIVERS Farewell Gap 9500' 34.5 80.4 233.0 80.4 79.0 Quaking Aspen 7200' 21.0 35.9 170.9 35.9 35.0 Giant Forest 6650' 10.0 16.6 166.2 16.5 15.9 KERN RIVER Upper Tyndall Creek 11400' 27.7 48.2 173.9 48.1 48.1 Crabtree Meadow 10700' 19.8 - - - - Chagoopa Plateau 10300' 21.8 47.9 219.7 48.0 47.6 Pascoes 9150' 24.9 56.4 226.7 56.2 54.4 Wet Meadows 8950' 30.3 54.9 181.0 54.9 54.8 Tunnel Guard Station 6900' 15.6 36.9 236.6 33.2 34.2 Casa Vieja Meadows 8300' 20.9 32.2 154.0 32.3 32.8 Beach Meadows 7650' 11.0 27.5 249.8 27.2 27.0 SURPRISE VALLEY AREA Dismal Swamp 7050' 29.2 37.6 128.8 37.4 35.3 TRUCKEE RIVER Big Meadows 8700' 25.7 47.2 183.7 47.1 43.8 Independence Lake 8450' 41.4 70.2 169.5 70.2 68.1 Squaw Valley 8200' 46.5 77.7 167.1 77.7 76.5 Independence Camp 7000' 21.8 23.6 108.3 23.9 23.4 Independence Creek 6500' 12.7 17.9 140.9 17.8 17.3 Truckee 2 6400' 14.3 33.2 232.2 33.3 32.8 LAKE TAHOE BASIN Mount Rase Ski Area 8900' 38.5 74.5 193.5 74.5 72.0 Heavenly Valley 8800' 28.1 48.1 171.2 48.1 47.5 Hagans Meadow 8000' 16.5 36.7 222.4 37.0 36.5 Marlette Lake 8000' 21.1 42.4 200.9 42.2 39.5 Echo Peak 5 7800' 39.5 72.0 182.3 71.8 69.5 Rubicon Peak 2 7500' 29.1 51.7 177.7 51.5 49.7 Tahoe City Cross 6750' 16.0 27.2 170.0 27.0 25.8 Ward Creek 3 6750' 39.4 60.5 153.6 60.2 58.7 Fallen Leaf Lake 6250' 7.0 13.9 198.6 14.1 13.8 CARSON RIVER Ebbetts.Pass 8700' 38.8 70.7 182.2 70.5 69.1 Horse Meadow 8557' - 41.8 - 41.7 41.0 Monitor Pass 8350' -- 29.2 - 29.2 29.3 Burnside Lake 8129' -- 46.4 - 46.5 46.2 Forestdale Creek 8017' -- 52.5 - 52.6 52.5 Poison Flat 7900' 16.2 40.9 252.5 40.7 38.4 Spratt Creek 6150' 4.5 11.2 248.9 11.0 10.2 WALKER RIVER Leavitt Lake 9600' - 93.7 - 94.0 92.5 Summit Meadow 9313' - 44.4 - 44.3 44.0 Virginia Lakes 9300' 20.3 31.1 153.2 31.1 30.5 Lobdell Lake 9200' 17.3 30.9 178.6 30.9 30.2 Sonora Pass Bridge 8750' 26.0 45.2 173.8 44.6 43.0 Leavitt Meadows 7200' 8.0 21.9 273.8 22.0 22.3 OWENS RIVERIMONO LAKE Gem Pass 10750' 31.7 41.6 131.3 41.9 41.3 Sawmill 10200' 19.4 33.0 170.4 32.8 32.4 Cottonwood Lakes 10150' 11.6 ---- - - - Big Pine Creek 9800' 17.9 40.4 225.4 40.2 38.8 Rock Creek Lakes 9700' 14.0 - - - - South Lake 9600' 16.0 34.0 212.2 33.8 33.4 Mammoth Pass 9300' 42.4 64.0 150.8 63.8 62.8 NORMAL SNOWPACK ACCUMULATION EXPRESSED AS A PERCENT OF APRIL 1ST AVERAGE AREA JANUARY FEBRUARY MARCH APRIL MAY Central Valley North 45% 70% 90% 100% 75% Central Valley South 45% 65% 85% 100% 80% North Coast 40% 15 60% 85% 100% 80% March 1 Statewide Conditions 300 ....................................................................................-------- ---------------------------------------------------------- 270 250 200 ............................................................................................................................................................................................ ...... .......... 150 130 12525 12 100 (D 100 10505 ,�A 00 100 �X-;85 8080 8075 80-80- 7070 5550_. 45 0 /'.65 60: -/---------- . 45-- - 7 / : X 50 50 X45 7 11 7 30 20 !20 X. 0- 2006 2007 2008 2009 2010 2011 2012 2013 2014 2015 2016 2017 Snowpack 7 G Precipitation � Runoff to Date ------- Reservoir Storage SNOWLINES Registration is now open for the 85th annual Western Snow Conference to be held in Boise, Idaho, April 17-20, 2017. We expect to have a full agenda of informative and interesting presentations related to snow hydrology, meteorological measurement techniques, and water resource management, This is a joint meeting with the Weather Modification Association. Meeting Information: http://www.westernsnowconference.org/meetings/2017 Online Registration: www.regonline.com/westernsnowconference2017 The Conference will begin Monday, April 17th with a short course and panel discussion on "Tracing the Effects of Cloud Seeding through the Hydrologic Cycle". Tuesday and Wednesday will include formal paper and poster presentations on a variety of topics, including climate variability, climate change impacts on snow and runoff, water management, water supply forecasting, and modeling and climatology of snow. Thursday will include a technical tour of the nearby Boise River Basin. Pictured on this months cover is the entrance to the Charlotte Lake cabin located in Sequioa Kings National Park at 10,400 feet elevation. Photo taken by Sue King on March 6 this year during the snow survey. 16 �OSP 17 142418 SNOWPACK-Snow data is a major index of spring and summer runoff from Sierra Nevada watersheds. April 1 data historically reflects the magnitude of the snowpack at or near the maximum seasonal accumulation. Averages are based on April 1 data for the period 1966-2015 (50 years, except for data sites established after 1951). PRECIPITATION-Averages for stations are based on the source of the data and varies from a 30 year to a 50 year period. RUNOFF AND FORECASTS -Runoff data and runoff forecasts are shown as unimpaired values. Unimpaired runoff represents the natural water production of a river basin, unaltered by upstream diversions, storage, or by export or import of water to or from other watersheds. Forecast of runoff assumes median conditions subsequent to the date of forecast. Runoff probability ranges are statistically derived from historical data. The 80 percent probability range is comprised of the 90 percent exceedence level value and the 10 percent exceedence level value. This means that actual runoff should fall within the stated limits eight times out of ten. Runoff averages for most streams are based on the period 1961-2010. Reservoir storage averages are based on the period from 1961 (or beginning of operation) to 2010. For more details contact California Cooperative Snow Surveys, P.O. Box 219000, Sacramento, CA 95821-9000, (916) 574-2983 or daver@water.ca.gov. INDICES OF WATER AVAILABILITY The Sacramento River water year unimpaired runoff is the sum of: Sacramento River above Bend Bridge, Feather River Inflow to Lake Oroville, Yuba River near Smartville and American River Inflow to Folsom Lake. The Sacramento -V-alley Water Year Hydrologir, Classification (40-30-30 Ind The values 40-30-30 represent the percentage weight given to the three variables in the formula for the index. The first variable is the forecasted unimpaired runoff from April through July (40 percent). The second variable is the forecasted unimpaired runoff from October through March (30 Percent). The third variable is the previous year's index with a cap to account for required flood control releases during wet years. The basins used in this computation are those used in the Sacramento River water year unimpaired runoff. The San Joaquin Valley Water Year Hydrologic Classification 60-20-2 Index). In a similar manner the values 60-20-20 represents the percentage weights on April through July runoff, October through March runoff and previous year's Index. The San Joaquin River unimpaired runoff is the sum of: Stanislaus River Inflow to New Melones Lake, Tuolumne River Inflow to New Don Pedro Reservoir, Merced River Inflow to Lake McClure and San Joaquin River Inflow to Millerton Lake. Runoff of the eight major rivers of the Sacramento and San Joaquin Regions is the sum of the runoff in the eight major rivers used in the two above indices. State of California — The Natural Resources Agency DEPARTMENT OF WATER RESOURCES FIRST CLASS MAIL U.S.POSTAGE P.O. Box 942836 Bul-mCOUNI,Y PAID Sacramento, CA 94236-0001 AMJM STRATIONI SACRAMENTO CA PERMIT NO 424 APP 0 3 2017 OROVILLE,CA"PORNIA BUTTE COUNTY CHAIRMAN-BD OF SUPERVISORS 25 COUNTY CENTER DR OROVIL.LE CA 95965-3316 Florst s�°'�:•of ry �P • LPFX,•• �s9 2 D r 'n f ��Q caCIFO-RN%�