In a dramatic turnaround from its driest three-year period on record, California’s 2023 water year brought a deluge of water, replenishing parched reservoirs and highlighting the state’s climate whiplash over the last several years. This water year, which is measured starting Oct. 1 and ending Sept. 30 in order to capture total annual precipitation and winter snow accumulation, was marked by one of the rainiest wet seasons in state history, which led to historic snowpack levels. In total, by Sept. 30, the state received 141% of its annual precipitation average, its snowpack was 237% of average, and its reservoirs were storing 129% of their average water levels. “This was, I think, as close to a miracle year as you can get,” said Karla Nemeth, director of the California Department of Water Resources, as a news conference Tuesday.

Related articles: 

• The Associated Press: ‘Miracle’ water year puts California reservoirs at 128% of historical average
• CA Department of Water Resources: New water year underway, California prepares for a possible wet El Niño year
• The Sacramento Bee: Light rain and hot temperatures forecasted in Sacramento, CA
• Bay City News: California water storage healthy going into rainy season