QUOTE OF THE DAY
“When one paints an ideal, one does not need to limit one’s imagination.”
–
Ellen Key average yearly snowpack in the Eastern Sierra comes in at just over 20 inches of water. If the most recent snowstorm delivers the predicted 8-10 feet of wet, heavy, waterladen snow the multi-day storm could boost the overall snowpack into average territory.
The statewide Sierra snowpack was sitting at 80% of normal to date on Feb. 29, and about 70% of the April 1 average, when water managers project runoff and water volumes.
The Los Angeles Department of Water and Power snow pillow readings peg the current snowpack at 69% of the April 1 average.
After a slow start, a wet, snowy February moved the Eastern Sierra snow needle out of drought territory, where it had been resting through January.
Statewide, the northern Sierra region has accumulated the most snow thus far. That region has reached 91% of average to date and 80% of the April 1 average, according to the California Department of Water Resources, which conducts and tabulates snow surveys across the
Jacob Myhre/Mammoth Lakes Tourism
Sierra. The central Sierra is at 77% of normal to date, and 67% of the April 1 average. The south Sierra is at 76% of normal to date and 67% of April 1 average.
The LADWP Eastern Sierra snow readings are fairly uniform. Five of six locations, Mammoth Pass, Rock Creek, Sawmill, Big Pine Creek and Cottonwood Lakes, reported year to date readings from 66% to 72% of average, and from 77% to 87% of April 1 average. Gem Pass readings were just 62% of average to date and 50% of April 1 average.