Where will California’s record snow go when it melts? State’s ‘big focus’ is underground
California’s snowpack is one of the deepest on record — a big win for the drought-stricken state — but as temperatures rise, flooding concerns loom.
Average statewide snow water equivalent was 61.1 inches as of Monday morning, or 237% of California’s average for the date and 235% of its average for April 1.
Here’s what to know about the state’s flood mitigation plans, reservoirs and groundwater:
What is the state doing to prepare for snow melt?
The State-Federal Flood Operations Center — which coordinates local, state and federal response — was activated March 9, said Jeremy Arrich, division of flood management at the Department of Water Resources at the snow survey discussion Monday.
“We do expect to remain activated in the foreseeable future for the spring snow melt that typically begins in April,” Arrich said. “As that unfolds, we will remain on the ready and here to work with our local partners.”
Where will all the water go? Officials want “as much of that flood water as possible someplace underground.”
”We have a few months probably in the runoff season to do that,” said Jeanine Jones, interstate resource manager at the Department of Water Resources.
“That’s the big focus”
Groundwater accounts for an average of 41% of the state’s total water supply and is a key to fully recover from the drought.
In early March, Gov. Gavin Newsom’s office announced an executive order to “allow for immediate groundwater replenishment” through existing infrastructure and recharge locations or temporary pumps.
How full are reservoirs and rivers?
“Most of the state’s major reservoirs are at or above average levels right now,” Jones said.
Twelve of California’s 17 major reservoirs were at or above their average levels for this time of year, according to state water data updated Monday, including the two largest, Shasta Lake (106%) and Lake Oroville (116%).
Statewide, reservoir levels stood at 107% of normal, a figure Sean de Guzman, snow survey manager for the Department of Water Resources, said is likely to increase significantly as snow melts this spring and summer.
The Department of Water Resources last month boosted its projection for deliveries by the State Water Project to 75% of requested water, up from 35% announced in February and 5% late last year. The State Water Project supplies water to agencies that serve 27 million Californians.
Where is the flood risk?
The flood operations center has been responding to levee concerns, specifically along the San Joaquin River and its tributaries, Arrich said.
It “is supporting emergency response in the Tulare Lake Basin and Lower San Joaquin River,” according to a news release.
Within the San Joaquin Valley there are “two forecasted locations that are expected to reach flood stage over the next five days and four locations expected to be at monitor stage.”
The San Joaquin River levels are expected to remain high through much of the spring and into the early summer, said Arrich during a snow survey discussion.
According to the California Nevada River Forecast Center, as of Monday the San Joaquin River at Vernalis and the Merced River at Stevinson are in flood stages already.
Three locations along the San Joaquin River in the Central Valley are in the monitor stage. The Tuolumne River in Merced is also in a monitor stage as of April 3.
This story was originally published April 3, 2023 at 4:27 PM with the headline "Where will California’s record snow go when it melts? State’s ‘big focus’ is underground."