Another Dry Year Ahead For the Golden State?
January 5, 2010 Kyriaki (Sandy) Venetis 
Stock photo.
Early indicators are showing that California may be facing another consecutive drought year. The state’s first snow survey of the 2009/2010 winter season was put out late last week, showing that snow water content is 15 percent below normal for this time of year.
It’s better than this time last year, when snow water was 24 percent below normal state levels, but still a cause for concern. “Despite some recent storms, the snow survey shows that we’re still playing catch-up when it comes to statewide water supplies,” said Sue Sims, chief deputy director of the California Department of Water Resources.
Snow water content is important in determining the coming year’s water supply. The measurements are used to provide data to hydroelectric power companies, the recreation industry, and hydrologists that prepare water supply forecasts.
The DWR’s early estimate is that it will only be able to deliver about five percent of the requested State Water Project water to the Bay Area, San Joaquin Valley, Central Coast, and Southern California. This reflects low storage levels in the state’s major reservoirs, and restrictions on water deliveries from the Sacramento-San Joaquin Delta in order to protect endangered fish species.