California snow water content 156% of normal to-date, 51% of annual average amount

SOUTH LAKE TAHOE, Calif. - The snow year is off to a good start for 2022-23 after this month's snow followed by rain covering the mountains that feed into California and Nevada's water supply.

As of December 29, the snowpack in the central Sierra is at 154 percent of the average for this date, and 52 percent of the April 1 average. The snow water equivalent is 14.4 inches, the amount of water contained and collected should the snow melt. The state as a whole is close, with snowpack at 156 percent of the average for the date, and 51 percent of the April 1 average.

That April 1 date is used as the typical end of the snow season.

While off to a good start, the Sierra Nevada is right where it was at last year at this time. A dry January-March put the snow content at the average by the end of January 2022, and it never climbed near average again that winter.

Next week the California Department of Water Resources will hold the first of its monthly snowpack measurement at Phillips Station near Sierra-at-Tahoe. That figure follows the trend seen at the sensors placed through the Sierra which is where the above figures can be found on a daily snow sensor report.

The upper elevation snowpack should be getting a good boost with a significant winter storm heading to the Sierra.

Percentage of April 1 average snow water content as of December 29, 2022:

LAKE TAHOE BASIN

Mount Rose Ski Area - 49%
Heavenly Valley - 52%
Hagans Meadow - 77%
Marlette Lake - 48%
Echo Peak 5 - 57%
Rubicon Peak - 28%
Tahoe City Cross - 76%
Ward Creek 3 - 48%
Fallen Leaf Lake - 200%

CARSON RIVER

Ebbetts Pass - 51%
Horse Meadow - 56%
Monitor Pass - 84%
Burnside Lake - 62%
Forestdale Creek - 58%
Poison Flat - 62%
Spratt Creek - 472%

TRUCKEE RIVER

Big Meadows - 55%
Independence Lake - 42%
Squaw Valley - 42%
Independence Camp - 81%
Independence Creek - 58
Truckee 2 - 58%