On Jan. 30, 2024, the California Department of Water Resources took its second snow survey of the season in the Sierra Nevada, where conditions improved during the past month.
“It’s encouraging to see an increase in the statewide snowpack,” Valley Water Board Chair Nai Hsueh said. “However, we must wait for the end of the rainy season in spring to have a greater understanding of Santa Clara County’s water supply outlook for the year.”
The Sierra Nevada snowpack is a critical piece of Santa Clara County’s water supply. More than half the water used in our county originates in the Sierra Nevada. Our reliance on that source of water is even greater with Anderson Reservoir unavailable to store water while we rebuild the dam.
California is in the middle of the rainy season and more storms are in the forecast, including an atmospheric river in early February. These types of storms boost snowpack levels and help fill reservoirs across the state. However, these storms also bring the potential for flooding.
Valley Water encourages the community to take actions and be flood ready. To learn more, visit valleywater.org/floodready.
Photo information: Snow covers the mountain peak near the meadow where the California Department of Water Resources conducted its second media snow survey of the 2024 season at Phillips Station in the Sierra Nevada Mountains. Photo taken January 30, 2024. Fred Greaves / California Department of Water Resources.