California Snowpack At 18 Percent Of Average
SAN FRANCISCO (CBS/AP) -- With summer approaching state water managers say California's snowpack is at 18 percent of average for the date.
The Department of Water Resources on Thursday said the season's final survey of the Sierra Nevada snowpack found more bare ground than snow.
The Sierra snowpack is an essential element of California's water supply—it accounts for about one-third of the state's water.
The news could indicate more local water agencies around the state will introduce mandatory water rationing, and cite violators.
Santa Cruz, Healdsburg, and Folsom are just a few of the cities that have planned to, or already implemented mandatory rationing.
Related:
- Santa Cruz Begins Mandatory Water Rationing
- Dry Weather Prompts Mandatory Rationing In Folsom
- Healdsburg To Implement Mandatory Water Rationing
The last measurement was on April 1, considered the peak of the snow season. It showed that the state's snowpack was about 32 percent of average water content.
DWR Director Mark Cowin says the dire results reaffirm that every drop of water in the state needs to be saved.
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