The Department of Water Resources (DWR) today conducted the second snow survey of the season at Phillips Station. The manual survey recorded 23 inches of snow depth and a snow water equivalent of 8 inches, which is 46 percent of average for this location. 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 59 percent of average for this date. Three weeks ago, the snowpack was 89 percent of average after a series of atmospheric rivers provided relief from a slow start to the snowpack. A dry January, which is historically the wettest month of the year in California, has now eroded the gains made at the start of the year and forecasts currently show no major precipitation in the next two weeks.

Other snowpack and water supply news: 

• California Department of Water Resources: Video: State Water Project Allocation Process