California Ag Network

Tag: Kings Watershed Snowpack

  • Kings Watershed Snowpack Starts Season Well Below Average

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    SIERRA SNOWPACK CONDITIONS within the Kings River watershed are low, but marginally higher than last year. Those were the findings of this season’s first measurements by Kings River Water Association (KRWA) and other California Cooperative Snow Survey partners in the mountains of eastern Fresno and Tulare counties.

    Kings River Watermaster Steve Haugen said the snowpack water content is only about 8.8 inches, 52% of average for February 1, and represents only 32% of what would be expected when snow conditions typically peak around April 1.

    Snow depths averaged 32.5 inches this year compared with 53 inches in an average winter. Last year surveyors found about 2 inches less water content during the February 1 snow survey.

    Haugen said snowpack that typically melts in the spring, is the primary source of water for the Kings River, which provides surface water to irrigation districts and water users in portions of Fresno, Tulare, and Kings counties. “We had an early start to building our snowpack, with storms in November, then we entered a dry-spell that lasted most of January,” Haugen said. “Without additional storms, the Kings Basin snowpack could yield very-little river flow. We are hopeful for the current forecast of storms this week.”

    Of the 22 snow courses measured, the deepest snow was at Charlotte Ridge in the river’s South Fork near Mount Gould. There, the snow depth was 44.5 inches with a water content of 15 inches, 79% of average. The least snow depth — 7 inches — was at Ridge Trail, in Sequoia-Kings Canyon National Park.

    “We are in the middle of our biggest months for precipitation for California, and unfortunately January has been very dry, putting a significant dent in our season,” said California Department of Water Resources (DWR) Director Karla Nemeth. “A return to wet weather is critical for our season’s success and it will take many more storms to make up the deficit and further boost water supply deliveries.” Those are also the hopes of Kings River water users, who are watching the current storm and weather forecast closely.

    DWR will be using the snow survey along with information collected last week from Airborne Snow Observatory (ASO) flights to provide the Kings River water supply forecast. KRWA Assistant Watermaster Matthew Meadows said, “This detailed snow survey information collected by snow surveyors coupled with remote weather stations and ASO will give water managers the best accounting of snowpack conditions and expected water supplies.” Snow survey teams are already preparing for another trip to the high-country scheduled for the end of the month.

  • Kings Watershed Snowpack Still Below Average Despite Recent Storms

    Sierra Snowpack Conditions within the Kings River watershed have improved in February 2024, with several storms delivering snow and rain to the region. Snow surveyors are collecting samples in the high elevations of eastern Fresno and Tulare counties for the California Cooperative Snow Survey.

    Kings River Watermaster Steve Haugen shared that initial results show snowpack water content is about 18 inches, 77% of average for March 1, and represents only 68% of what would be expected when snow conditions typically peak around April 1.

    Snow depths averaged about 60 inches this year compared with 67 inches in an average winter.

    Prior to February, the frequent winter storms had not delivered much snow. However, several storms in February have provided about 10 more inches of water content than snow surveyors found at the end of January. This winter snowpack is critical water supply for downstream San Joaquin Valley water agencies and users in portions of Fresno, Tulare, and Kings counties for whom the Kings River is the primary source of water.

    “February 2024 precipitation in the region is about 160 percent above average.” Haugen said, “The snowpack water content has more than doubled in the past month. However, in March we will need to have at least 7 inches precipitation in the basin to be at average conditions before spring snow melt starts.”

    The deepest snow was at Upper Burnt Corral in the northern portion of the watershed. There, the snow depth was 84 inches with a water content of 25 inches, or 83% of the March 1st average. The least snow depth — 35.5 inches — was at Ridge Trail in Sequoia-Kings Canyon National Park.