| 05/01/2012 - Final Snow Survey of 2012 Shows Low Water Content |
Manual and electronic readings today show that California's drier than usual mountain snowpack is steadily melting with warming spring weather. Statewide, snowpack water content is only 40 percent of normal for the date, and was only 55 percent of normal the first of April, the time of year when it is historically at its peak. "The fact that we just had a dry winter right after an unusually wet season last year shows that we must be prepared for all types of weather," said DWR Director Mark Cowin. "Reservoir storage will mitigate the impact of dry conditions on water supply this summer, but we have to plan for the possibility of a consecutive dry year in 2013, both by practicing conservation, continuing to develop alternative local water supplies, and working toward improved water storage and conveyance."
 News Release...  |
| 04/27/2012 - Final Snow Survey of 2012 Set for May 1 |
The Department of Water Resources (DWR) will conduct this year's fifth and final snow survey on May 1. One focus of media attention will be the manual survey scheduled for 11 a.m. off Highway 50 near Echo Summit about 90 miles east of Sacramento. Manual surveys up and down the state will be combined with electronic readings from remote sensors to indicate the rate at which the mountain snowpack is melting into the state's streams, reservoirs and aquifers. The snowpack normally provides about a third of the water for California's homes, industry and agriculture. April 2 measurements showed that water content in the winter snowpack -- often called California's frozen reservoir -- was only 55 percent of normal at the time of year when it historically is at its peak. Today, it is 46 percent of normal.
| News Release... |
| 04/02/2012 - DWR's Fourth Snow Survey of 2012 Shows Dry Conditions |
Department of Water Resources (DWR) hydrologists today announced that water content in California's mountain snowpack is only 55 percent of the April 1 full season average.
| News Release... Video... |
| 02/28/2012 - DWR's Third Snow Survey of 2012 Shows Continuing Dry Conditions |
Department of Water Resources snow surveyors today confirmed that California's mountain snowpack holds far less water than normal for this time of year. Manual and electronic readings show that statewide, snowpack water content is only 30 percent of historic readings for the date. That is a mere 26 percent of the average April 1 measurement, when the snowpack is normally at its peak before it begins to melt with rising spring temperatures.
| News Release... Video... |
| 02/23/2012 - Third 2012 Snow Survey Scheduled for February 28 |
The Department of Water Resources (DWR) will conduct this winter's third snow survey on February 28. It is expected that manual measurements of snowpack water content will corroborate the low electronic readings from remote sensors up and down the state's mountain ranges.
| News Release... |
| 02/01/2012 | - Second 2012 Snow Survey Shows Continuing Dry Conditions
|
Snow surveyors today confirmed that water content in California's mountain snowpack is far below normal for this time of year. Manual and electronic readings record the snowpack's statewide water content at only 37 percent of normal for the date. That is just 23 percent of the average April 1 reading, when the snowpack normally is at its peak before the spring melt. "So far, we just haven't received a decent number of winter storms," said DWR Director Mark Cowin. "We have good reservoir storage thanks to wet conditions last year, but we also need more rain and snow this winter."
| News Release... Video... |
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| 01/30/2012 | - Second 2012 Snow Survey Scheduled for February 1
|
The Department of Water Resources (DWR) will conduct this winter's second snow survey on February 1. One focus of attention will be the manual survey scheduled for 11 a.m. off Highway 50 near Echo Summit This and other manual surveys up and down the state as well as electronic readings from remote sensors will determine the water content in the snowpack. Electronic readings today indicate that water content in the statewide snowpack is just 38 percent of normal. That is 23 percent of the average April 1 reading, when the snowpack is normally at its peak before the spring melt. Still, this is an improvement over results of this winter's January 3 survey, which recorded snowpack water content at 19 percent of normal for that date, and only 7 percent of the average April 1 reading.
| News Release... |
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| 01/03/2012 | - First Snow Survey of 2012 Shows Dry Conditions
|
First Snow Survey of 2012 Shows Dry Conditions
Snow surveyors today reported that California's mountain snowpack is among the driest for the date on record.
Manual and electronic readings today record the snowpack's statewide water content at 19 percent of the January 3 average. That is only 7 percent of the average April 1 measurement, when the snowpack is normally at its peak before the spring melt.
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| News Release... Video... |
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| 12/29/2011 | - First 2012 Snow Survey Scheduled |
| The First 2012 Snow Survey Scheduled for Tuesday, January 3, 2012. The Department of Water Resources (DWR) will conduct this winter's first snow survey on January 3. One center of attention will be the manual survey scheduled for 11 a.m. off Highway 50 near Echo Summit. This and other manual and electronic surveys up and down the state will determine the amount of water in the early winter snowpack. Statewide electronic readings indicate that today's snowpack water content -- near the end of an unusually dry December -- is only 24 percent of normal for the date. At this time last year (December 27), the statewide snowpack water content was 202 percent of average. |
| News Release... |
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| 10/03/2011 | - 57th Annual Meeting of Cooperators, November 2-4, 2011 |
| The 57th Annual Meeting of Cooperators, November 2-4, 2011 at Grass Valley, CA. Please click the following link for more details: |
| http://cdec.water.ca.gov/snow/meeting/2011/ |
|
| 06/30/2011 | - The Next Snowmelt Weather Briefing |
| The next snowmelt weather briefing will be on Thursday, July 7th at 1 pm. The call-in conference line is (916) 262-0826. The web address (same as the winter briefings) for the briefings is: |
| http://www.water.ca.gov/floodmgmt/hafoo/fob/focs/weatherbriefing.cfm |
|
| 05/12/2011 | - Bulletin B120 for May, 2011 |
| The complete Bulletin 120 is now available in PDF format for May, 2011: |
| http://cdec.water.ca.gov/snow/bulletin120/index2.html |
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| 05/02/2011 | - DWR Announces Results of Final Snow Survey of 2010-2011 Season
|
| Manual and electronic readings today show that California's near-record snowpack is slowly melting with warming spring weather. But snowpack water content is still 144 percent of the April 1 full season average. Today's readings will help hydrologists forecast spring and summer snowmelt runoff into rivers and reservoirs. The melting snow supplies approximately one-third of the water used by Californians. "All indications are that we're moving toward summer with a good water supply for our farms and cities," said DWR Director Mark Cowin. "We must be aware, however, that California can quickly turn from wet to dry, and we can't afford to forget the lessons of conservation that we learned in the 2007-2009 drought." |
| http://www.water.ca.gov/news/newsreleases/2011/050211snow.pdf |
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| 04/28/2011 | - DWR's Fifth and Final Snow Survey of the 2010-2011 Season in Place for Next Week
|
| The Department of Water Resources (DWR) will conduct its fifth and final manual snow survey of the season, Monday, May 2, at 11 a.m. off Highway 50, near Echo Summit. Electronic readings currently indicate that snowpack water content has dipped, as anticipated, to 151 percent of the April 1, full season average. May snow survey figures are normally lower than April readings, and used to forecast the spring and summer runoff. April 1 readings recorded 165 percent of the April 1 full season average, due to heavy storms in late February and March. |
| http://www.water.ca.gov/news/newsreleases/2011/042811snow.pdf |
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| 05/12/2011 | - The Next Snowmelt Weather Briefing |
| The next snowmelt weather briefing will be on Friday, May 20 at 10am. The call-in conference line is (916) 262-0826. The web address(same as the winter briefings) for the briefings is: |
| http://www.water.ca.gov/floodmgmt/hafoo/fob/focs/weatherbriefing.cfm |
|
| 05/12/2011 | - Bulletin B120 for May, 2011 |
| The complete Bulletin 120 is now available in PDF format for May, 2011: |
| http://cdec.water.ca.gov/snow/bulletin120/index2.html |
|
| 05/02/2011 | - DWR Announces Results of Final Snow Survey of 2010-2011 Season
|
| Manual and electronic readings today show that California's near-record snowpack is slowly melting with warming spring weather. But snowpack water content is still 144 percent of the April 1 full season average. Today's readings will help hydrologists forecast spring and summer snowmelt runoff into rivers and reservoirs. The melting snow supplies approximately one-third of the water used by Californians. "All indications are that we're moving toward summer with a good water supply for our farms and cities," said DWR Director Mark Cowin. "We must be aware, however, that California can quickly turn from wet to dry, and we can't afford to forget the lessons of conservation that we learned in the 2007-2009 drought." |
| http://www.water.ca.gov/news/newsreleases/2011/050211snow.pdf |
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| 04/28/2011 | - DWR's Fifth and Final Snow Survey of the 2010-2011 Season in Place for Next Week
|
| The Department of Water Resources (DWR) will conduct its fifth and final manual snow survey of the season, Monday, May 2, at 11 a.m. off Highway 50, near Echo Summit. Electronic readings currently indicate that snowpack water content has dipped, as anticipated, to 151 percent of the April 1, full season average. May snow survey figures are normally lower than April readings, and used to forecast the spring and summer runoff. April 1 readings recorded 165 percent of the April 1 full season average, due to heavy storms in late February and March. |
| http://www.water.ca.gov/news/newsreleases/2011/042811snow.pdf |
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| 03/30/2011 | - DWR Announces Results of Fourth Snow Survey of 2010-2011 Season |
| Department of Water Resources (DWR) hydrologists today announced that water content in California's mountain snowpack is 165 percent of the April 1 full season average. "Recent storms have significantly contributed to the above-average snowpack, helping to stabilize California's water supply for the year," said DWR Director Mark Cowin. "While this is beneficial for California's farms' businesses and communities, we remind residents to practice sensible water use and conservation as we transition to warmer weather." |
| http://www.water.ca.gov/news/newsreleases/2011/033011snow.pdf |
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|
| http://www.water.ca.gov/news/newsreleases/2011/033011snowresults_english.wmv |
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| http://www.water.ca.gov/news/newsreleases/2011/033011snowresults_spanish.wmv |
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| 03/25/2011 | - DWR's Fourth Snow Survey of 2010-2011 Season Set for Next Week |
| The Department of Water Resources (DWR) will conduct its fourth manual snow survey, Wednesday, March 30, at 11 a.m. near Echo Summit off Highway 50. "We are looking at a good water supply year as we prepare for this summer's peak demand period," said DWR Director Mark Cowin. "This is great news so long as we can control floodwaters. Our up-and-down cycles -- drought followed by flood threats -- remind us that assuring an adequate water supply in California is always a juggling act, and we can't afford to forget the lessons of conservation even in brief periods of plenty." |
| http://www.water.ca.gov/news/newsreleases/2011/032511snow.pdf |
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| 03/01/2011 | - DWR Announces Results of Third Snow Survey of 2010-2011 Season
|
| Department of Water Resources (DWR) hydrologists today confirmed that water content in California's mountain snowpack is well above average. Manual and electronic readings indicate that statewide, water content is 124 percent of normal for the date, and 109 percent of the April 1 seasonal average. |
| http://www.water.ca.gov/news/newsreleases/2011/030111snow.pdf |
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| 02/24/2011 | - DWR Schedules Third Snow Survey
of 2010-2011 Season |
| The Department of Water Resources (DWR) will conduct its third
manual snow survey of the winter at 11 a.m., Tuesday, March 1, 2011, near Echo
Summit on Highway 50, not far from Lake Tahoe. |
| http://cdec.water.ca.gov/cgi-progs/products/Press_Release_for_Upcoming_Snow_Survey3.pdf |
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| 01/28/2011 | - DWR Announces Results of Second Snow Survey of 2010-2011 Season
|
| Manual and electronic readings today indicate that California's mountain snowpack is holding above average water content despite a dry January. Statewide, real-time sensors show that snowpack water content is 78 percent of the April 1 seasonal average. This compares to an average reading of 55 percent for today's date. The above-average readings are due to heavy storms in October, November and December. January so far has recorded only about 13 percent of average precipitation for the month. "We are still optimistic for a good water supply, but realize that we can come up short any given year," said DWR Director Mark Cowin. "Our unpredictable weather and delivery restrictions make it clear that conservation must always be one of our top priorities."DWR estimates it will be able to deliver 60 percent of requested State Water Project (SWP) water this year. The estimate will be adjusted as hydrologic and regulatory conditions continue to develop. |
| http://www.water.ca.gov/news/newsreleases/2011/012811snow.pdf |
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| 01/25/2011 | - DWR Schedules Second Snow Survey of 2010-2011 Season
|
| The Department of Water Resources (DWR) will conduct its second manual snow survey of the winter at 11 a.m. Friday, January 28, near Lake Tahoe. Electronic readings indicate that snowpack water content has changed little this month, so far gaining only about an inch since January 1. The water content is 79 percent of the April 1 seasonal average. This compares to an average reading of 55 percent for today's date.
|
| http://www.water.ca.gov/news/newsreleases/2011/012511snow.pdf |
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| 12/28/2010 | - DWR Announces First Snow Survey Results of 2010-2011 Season: Storms Brighten Water Supply Outlook
|
| On the heels of early season storms, manual and electronic readings today indicate that water content in California's mountain snowpack is 198 percent of normal for the date. "This boosts our hopes that we will have an adequate water supply for our cities and farms as we continue to shake off effects of the 2007-2009 drought," said DWR Director Mark Cowin. |
| http://www.water.ca.gov/news/newsreleases/2010/122810snow.pdf |
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| http://www.water.ca.gov/news/newsreleases/2010/122810snowsurveyvideo.wmv |
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| 12/23/2010 | - DWR Schedules First Snow Survey of 2010-2011 Season |
| SACRAMENTO -- The California Department of Water Resources (DWR) will conduct its first manual snow survey of the new winter season at 11 a.m., Tuesday, December 28, 2010, near Lake Tahoe. |
| http://www.water.ca.gov/news/newsreleases/2010/122310snow.pdf |
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| 09/09/2010 | - 2010 Annual Meeting of the California Cooperative Snow Surveys Program
|
| October 13-15, 2010, Bishop, CA |
| http://cdec4gov.water.ca.gov/snow/meeting/2010/ |
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| 04/30/2010 | - DWR Announces Final Snow Survey Results: Late Storms Brighten Outlook |
| On the heels of late season storms, manual and electronic readings today indicate that water content in California’s statewide mountain snowpack is 143 percent of normal. |
| http://www.water.ca.gov/news/newsreleases/2010/043010snow.pdf |
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| 04/27/2010 | - DWR Schedules Final Snow Survey of 2009-2010 Season |
| The California Department of Water Resources (DWR) will conduct its final snow survey of the 2009-2010 season at 11 a.m. on Friday, April 30, near Lake Tahoe. |
| http://www.water.ca.gov/news/newsreleases/2010/042710snow.pdf |
|
| 03/25/2010 | - DWR Schedules Fourth Snow Survey of 2009-2010 Season |
| The California Department of Water Resources (DWR) will conduct its fourth snow survey of the season at 11 a.m., Thursday, April 1, 2010, near Lake Tahoe. |
| http://www.water.ca.gov/news/newsreleases/2010/032510snow.pdf |
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| 03/03/2010 | - DWR Announces Third Snow Survey Results Of 2009-2010 Winter Season |
| Manual and electronic readings today indicate that water content in California's mountain snowpack is 107 percent of normal for the date. This time last year, snow water content statewide was 80 percent of normal. |
| http://www.water.ca.gov/news/newsreleases/2010/030310snow.pdf |
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| 03/01/2010 | - DWR Schedules Third Snow Survey of 2009-2010 Season |
| SACRAMENTO - The California Department of Water Resources (DWR) will conduct its third snow survey of the season at 11 a.m., Wednesday, March 3, 2010, near Lake Tahoe. |
| http://www.water.ca.gov/news/newsreleases/2010/030110snow.pdf |
|
| 02/11/2010 | - New Weekly Product Forecast Discussion |
| New Weekly Product Forecast Discussion is Available on Bulletin 120 webpage on California Snow Surveys Website and Water Supply webpage on CDEC website. |
| http://cdec4gov.water.ca.gov/snow/bulletin120/index2.html |
|
| 01/29/2010 | - DWR Announces Second Snow Survey Results |
| Manual and electronic readings today indicate that water content in California's mountain snowpack is 115 percent of normal for the date statewide. This time last year, snow water content was 61 percent of normal statewide. |
| http://www.water.ca.gov/news/newsreleases/2010/01292010snowsurvey.pdf |
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| 01/29/2010 | - DWR Schedules Second Snow Survey of 2009-2010 Season |
| The California Department of Water Resources (DWR) will conduct its second snow survey of the season at 11 a.m., Friday, January 29, 2010, near Lake Tahoe. |
| http://www.water.ca.gov/news/newsreleases/2010/01272010secondsnowsurvey.pdf |
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| 12/30/2009 | - DWR Announces First Snow Survey Results of 2009/2010 Winter Season
|
| The Department of Water Resources (DWR) first snow survey of the 2009/2010 winter season indicates snow water content is 85 percent of normal for the date, statewide. This time last year, snow water content was 76 percent of normal statewide. |
| http://www.water.ca.gov/news/newsreleases/2009/123009snow.pdf |
|
| 12/22/2009 | - DWR Schedules First Snow Survey of 2009-2010 Season |
| The California Department of Water Resources (DWR) will conduct its first snow survey of the new winter season at 11 a.m., Wednesday, December 30, 2009. |
| http://www.water.ca.gov/news/newsreleases/2009/122209snow.pdf |
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| 12/22/2009 | - Westwide Snow Survey Training School Dates Announced
|
| The NRCS has announced the details of the 2009 Snow Survey Training School. The 2009 Westwide Snow Survey Training School will be held January 11-16, 2009,
at the Granlibakken Conference Center, in Tahoe City, CA.. Registration is limited! For additional information. |
| http://cdec4gov.water.ca.gov/cgi-progs/products/WestSnowSchoolJan09.pdf |
|
| 04/28/2009 | - DWR Schedules Final Snow Survey of 2008-2009 Season |
| SACRAMENTO - The California Department of Water Resources (DWR) will conduct its final snow survey of the season at 11 a.m., Thursday, April 30, near Lake Tahoe. |
| http://cdec4gov.water.ca.gov/cgi-progs/products/354521C6.pdf |
|
| 04/02/2009 | - DWR Announces Fourth Snow Survey Results |
| The Department of Water Resources' (DWR) fourth snow survey of the winter season indicates snowpack water content is 81 percent of normal for the date, statewide."A below-average snowpack at this time of year, especially following two consecutive dry years is a cause for concern," said DWR Director Lester Snow. "Our most critical storage reservoirs remain low, and we face severe water supply problems in many parts of our state. Californians must continue to save water at home and in their businesses. |
| http://cdec4gov.water.ca.gov/cgi-progs/products/040209fourthresults.pdf |
|
| 03/10/2009 | - DWR Posts March 1, 2009 Water Supply Indices
|
| The California Department of Water Resources (DWR) has posted the March 1, 2009 update to the Sacramento (SVI) and San Joaquin (SJI) Water Supply Indices as well as the forecast for the Sacramento River Water Year Runoff (SRR). This forecast is based on the precipitation and flows through the end of February 2009. To review the entire bulletin please click at the link: |
| http://cdec.water.ca.gov/cgi-progs/iodir/wsi |
|
| 03/10/2009 | - DWR Posts March 1, 2009 Bulletin 120: Water Conditions in California
|
| The California Department of Water Resources (DWR) has posted the March 1, 2009 update to the Bulletin 120: Water Conditions in California.
Seasonal runoff from the major snow bearing watersheds of the Sierra Nevada now ranges from 57% of average on the Tule River to 80% of average on the Mokelumne, Stanislaus, and Tuolumne Rivers. To review please click at the link:
|
| http://cdec4gov.water.ca.gov/snow/bulletin120/b120mar09.pdf |
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| 03/02/2009 | - DWR Announces Snow Survey Results
|
| The Department of Water Resources' (DWR) third snow survey of the winter season indicates snow water content is 80 percent of normal for the date, statewide. Last year at this time, snowpack was 114 percent of normal, but the driest spring on record followed, resulting in a second consecutive dry water year. Daily electronic readings and Press release may be accessed at: |
| http://cdec.water.ca.gov/cgi-progs/snow/DLYSWEQ |
|
|
| http://cdec.water.ca.gov/cgi-progs/products/030209thirdresults.pdf |
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| 02/17/2009 | - DWR Schedules Third Snow Survey of 2008-2009 Season
|
| The California Department of Water Resources (DWR) will conduct its third snow survey of the season on Monday, March 2, 2009 at 11am, at Phillips Station near Lake Tahoe. The results of this survey will impact future allocations. Snow depth and water content figures should be available by noon.
|
| 12/29/2008 | - DWR Announces January 2009 Snow Survey Results
|
| The California Department of Water Resources (DWR) will conduct its first snow survey of the new winter season at 11 a.m., Tuesday, December 30, 2008, near Lake Tahoe. Reporters and photographers should take snowshoes or cross-country skis and park vehicles along Highway 50. The survey will be the first of five monthly measurements that help water supply planners estimate the amount of spring snowmelt runoff into reservoirs. |
| http://cdec4gov.water.ca.gov/cgi-progs/products/January2009SnowSurveyPressRelease.pdf |
|
| 11/22/2008 | - DWR Announces the 2008 Annual Meeting of the California Cooperative Snow |
| The 54th Annual Meeting of the California Cooperative Snow Surveys program will take place Nov 12-14 at the Pines Resort in Bass Lake, CA.
|
| http://cdec.water.ca.gov/snow/meeting/2008/ |
|
| 04/15/2008 | - DWR Sets Final Snow Survey of 2008 Season
|
| The fifth and final snow survey of the 2008 winter season by DWR will take place at 11 a.m. Thursday, May 1, 2008, at Phillips Station, Highway 50 and Sierra at Tahoe Road (about 90 miles east of Sacramento) near Lake Tahoe. |
| http://www.water.ca.gov/news/newsreleases/2008/041508snowsurvey2.pdf |
|
| 03/17/2008 | - DWR Snow Survey March 26 |
| DWR's fourth 2008 winter snow survey will take place at 11 a.m. Wednesday, March 26, 2008, near Lake Tahoe.
Monthly measurements are made through May to help forecast the amount of spring runoff into reservoirs. The fourth survey is generally considered to be the most important in gauging how much water is being held in the Sierra snow pack. |
| http://www.water.ca.gov/news/newsreleases/2008/031708snowsurvey.pdf |
|
| 02/28/2008 | - DWR Announces Snow Survey Results, Limits on Delta Pumping Go in Effect |
| Results of today's snow survey by DWR show Sierra snowpack conditions at 118 percent of normal for this time of year. While this would normally be a positive indication that the state's water supply is in good shape, DWR also announced that it will need to further reduce Delta pumping starting today to comply with a federal court order limiting water exports. |
| http://www.water.ca.gov/news/newsreleases/2008/022808.snowsurvey.pdf.pdf |
|
| 01/03/2008 | - DWR Announces Snow Survey Results |
| Results of the January 3, 2008, snow survey by the California Department of Water Resources off Highway 50 near Echo Summit are as follow: |
| http://www.water.ca.gov/news/newsreleases/010308snow.pdf |
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|
| http://www.water.ca.gov/news/SnowSurveys.wmv |
|
| http://www.water.ca.gov/news/snow_photo.cfm |
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