California Department of Water Resources staff members (from right) Andy Reising, Snow Surveys and Water Supply Forecasting Unit Manager, Manon von Kaenel, Water Resources Engineer, Angelique Fabbiani-Leon, State Hydrometeorologist, and Jordan Thoennes, Water Resources Engineer, conduct the first media snow survey of the 2025 season at Phillips Station in the Sierra Nevada. The survey is held approximately 90 miles east of Sacramento off Highway 50 in El Dorado County.  Photo courtesy of California Department of Water Resources

SACRAMENTO, CA (MPG) - The Department of Water Resources (DWR) conducted the first snow survey of the season Jan. 2 at Phillips Station.

The manual survey recorded 24 inches of snow depth and a snow water equivalent of 9 inches, which is 91 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 the Department of Water Resources’ water supply forecast. Statewide, the snowpack is 108 percent of average for this date.

Recent years in California have been marked by extremely hot and dry conditions broken up by periods of intense rain and snow. So far, this water year has been no different. A record-breaking hot and dry summer continued well into the fall but a powerful atmospheric river in November broke several rainfall records in Northern California. A series of storms in late December provided another boost.

California Department of Water Resources staff members (from right) Andy Reising, Snow Surveys and Water Supply Forecasting Unit Manager, Manon von Kaenel, Water Resources Engineer, Jordan Thoennes, Water Resources Engineer, and Angelique Fabbiani-Leon, State Hydrometeorologist, conduct the first media snow survey of the 2025 season at Phillips Station in the Sierra Nevada. The survey is held approximately 90 miles east of Sacramento off Highway 50 in El Dorado County. Photo courtesy of California Department of Water Resources

“While our snowpack looks good now, we have a long way until April when our water supply picture will be more complete,” said Department of Water Resources Director Karla Nemeth. “Extreme shifts between dry and wet conditions are continuing this winter and if the past several years are any indication, anything could happen between now and April and we need to be prepared.”

The Department of Water Resources’ electronic readings from 130 stations placed throughout the Sierra Nevada indicate that the statewide snowpack’s snow water equivalent is 10.7 inches or 108 percent of average for this date, compared to 28 percent on this date last year.

California has seen this pattern before. In both 2013 and 2022, the January snowpack was well above average thanks to December storm activity, only for dry conditions to take over the rest of the winter, quickly erasing early season snow totals and continuing existing drought conditions across the state.

California Department of Water Resources staff (from left) Angelique Fabbiani-Leon, State Hydrometeorologist, Manon von Kaenel, Water Resources Engineer, Andy Reising, Snow Surveys and Water Supply Forecasting Unit Manager, and Jordan Thoennes, Water Resources Engineer, conduct the first media snow survey of the 2025 season at Phillips Station in the Sierra Nevada. The survey is held approximately 90 miles east of Sacramento off Highway 50 in El Dorado County. Photo courtesy of California Department of Water Resources

“We are fortunate to have had several solid snow-producing atmospheric river systems so far this season,” said Department of Water Resources Snow Surveys and Water Supply Forecasting Unit Manager Andy Reising. “The fall was extremely dry, so our healthy snow totals are thanks to a handful of big storm systems in November and late December. But to finish the year where we need to be, we will still need additional snow building at a regular pace throughout the winter.”

Major reservoirs statewide are currently 121 percent of average because of two consecutive years of above-average snowpack conditions, which occurred after the driest three-year period on record in California. The Department of Water Resources is preparing for these swings between extreme conditions by investing in climate resilience, including the use of Forecast Informed Reservoir Operations, floodplain and flood infrastructure improvements and groundwater recharge efforts that will ensure California is able to capture and use as much water during flood conditions as possible.

California Department of Water Resources staff (from left) Angelique Fabbiani-Leon, State Hydrometeorologist, Manon von Kaenel, Water Resources Engineer, Jordan Thoennes, Water Resources Engineer, and Andy Reising, Snow Surveys and Water Supply Forecasting Unit Manager, conduct the first media snow survey of the 2025 season at Phillips Station in the Sierra Nevada. The survey is held approximately 90 miles east of Sacramento off Highway 50 in El Dorado County. Photo courtesy of California Department of Water Resources

On average, the Sierra snowpack supplies about 30 percent of California’s water needs. Its natural ability to store water is why the Sierra snowpack is often referred to as California's “frozen reservoir.” Data from these snow surveys and forecasts produced by the Department of Water Resources Snow Surveys and Water Supply Forecasting Unit are important factors in determining how Department of Water Resources manages the state’s water resources.

Department of Water Resources conducts four media-oriented snow surveys at Phillips Station each winter near the first of each month, January through April and, if necessary, May. The next survey is tentatively scheduled for Feb. 3.

For California’s current hydrological conditions, visit cww.water.ca.gov.