Report shows strain on Californian water resources continues

by Rich Bowden - Dec 30 2008, 23:28

A Californian snow survey has shown an improvement in depth over the same time last year, though water resources are expected to be strained again this spring.

The Department of Water Resources (DWR) found snow water content to be 76 percent of normal for the date throughout the state, up from the 60 percent surveyed at the same period last year.

Last year's low percentage led to the driest spring on record in the state.

“While today’s conditions are an improvement over last year’s initial snow survey figures, the strain on California’s water supply persists,” said Lester Snow, director of the DWR. “Recent regulatory actions that further limit pumping through the Delta and deficits from the previous two dry years will require a very wet year to relieve the drought.”

“We must take immediate steps to protect the Delta ecosystem, conserve more water and develop additional groundwater and surface storage facilities to meet our future needs,” he added.

The ongoing drought suffered by Californian residents has forced Governor Schwarzenegger to introduce a number of water conservation measures and an increase in investment in the state's ageing water infrastructure.

Accurate measuring of snow depth by surveyors is used by water experts to ascertain water supplies for the coming warmer months when the snow melts. The drought has also lowered water storage levels throughout the state.

“Storage is obviously way down from where we'd like to have it,” Department of Water Resources spokesman Ted Thomas told The Mercury News.

Sensor readings from the snow surveys can be found by clicking here.

Around the Web