Doesn't Look Good! <BR> <BR>California snow pack falls well below normal <BR>Thu May 1, 2008(Reuters) - <BR> <BR>The snow pack in the Sierra Nevada Mountains fell sharply in the last four weeks as parched soil from last year's dry weather absorbed large amounts of the state's water supply, California officials said on Thursday. <BR> <BR>In April, snow depth and water content declined markedly to 67 percent of normal levels, the California Department of Water Resources said in its final snow survey of the season. <BR> <BR>Melted snow powers hydroelectric generators and flows into reservoirs, supplying water to state residents, so officials monitor the snow pack closely. <BR> <BR>March and April were the driest in the northern Sierra Nevada Mountains since the state started measuring the snow pack in 1921, the department said. <BR> <BR>In a statement, California Republican Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger said the survey's findings were cause for concern following two years of below-average rainfall in the state. <BR> <BR>"Today's snow survey findings further underscore the need for action now," Schwarzenegger said, urging lawmakers to adopt his proposal to address the state's water crisis through conservation, increased groundwater storage and investments in water infrastructure. <BR> <BR>"The longer we wait, the worse our situation becomes," Schwarzenegger said. <BR> <BR>Soil parched by last year's extremely dry weather has absorbed much of the water, the department said. Water runoff into streams and reservoirs is between 55 percent to 65 percent of normal.}

Thats crazy being that in Febuary we were at 110% capacity. Atleast that info came from sierra summit workers this winter. It may be true or may not who knows but if it is true wow were hurtn

it was epic snowfall thru feb. Then march came nothin the few storms that brought snow was melting by the time it hit the ground and seemed like it didnt have any moisture to it. Then hell in april it didnt snow at all. Mt hood in oregon has a 200 in base still and got 6 ins just the other day.

The Summit in WA had a close to record season. 590" at last count. The two years before that were almost 400" and 450". I'm sure we'll be told that our water will cost more and we need to conserve as not much of that is collected.

I used to do the snow survey for the Forest Service. Seems like every year was the "worst"

Just dredge and repair the delta, that would increase storage capacity and stop letting huge amounts of fresh water flow into the ocean.