Despite a strong start to California’s wet season, snowpack conditions remain below average. A deficient snowpack could mean less water available for summer irrigation, threatening to cut surface water deliveries to farmers. … State officials reported the snowpack was at 59% of average by the end of last month. San Joaquin Valley farmer Aaron Barcellos said he’s concerned about what water supplies he will be able to get from this winter’s snowpack, especially since about two-thirds of his farm’s water comes from snowpack storage. The uncertainty has already begun to impact his planning—particularly with cotton, which he has grown since 1988. 

Other snowpack and water supply news around the West:

• KOAA (Colorado Springs, Colo.): Colorado snowpack ties modern-era record low
• 9News/KUSA (Denver, Colo.): This is how big the snow needs to get to salvage Colorado’s snowpack season
• Record Searchlight (Redding, Calif.): Rain in Redding sets a record. See Lake Shasta’s level now
• SFGate: The surprising element that’s boosting California’s stubbornly low snowpack