Flood risks are demonstrating the importance of continuing to closely monitor snowpack conditions. So the Department of Water Resources has conducted a fifth survey this season, the first time that’s happened in three years. The 2020 survey showed only an inch-and-a-half at the Phillips Station. But, as of May first, on Monday, it was 49 inches. Statewide, that’s 241-percent of average, compared to 237-percent for the April survey. Only May of 1983 was deeper, at 289-percent. Dave Rizzardo is with the hydrology section of the Department of Water Resources. He notes that the mostly below-average temperatures in April has kept the melt rate from being too rapid…

click to listen to Dave Rizzardo

Rizzardo says that’s also good for reservoir storage, which is critical in keeping a healthy water supply this year…

click to listen to Dave Rizzardo

As of Monday, the storage level was 118-percent of average at Orovile Dam, 115-percent at Lake Shasta, 109-percent at Englebright, and 107-percent at Bullards Bar. The only other April first snowpack measurements above 200-percent were in 1952, 1969, as well as 1983.