So far, so good. This winter has been wet. The latest snow survey by the DWR (California Department of Water Resources), the third such survey of the season, has the current snowpack/water equivalency for the Sierras at 107% of normal. This is a huge increase from last year’s March survey, which revealed only a 80% of normal status. Electronic sensor readings show northern Sierra snow water equivalents at 126%, central Sierra at 93% and southern Sierra at 109% of normal for the date.
The DWR warns that despite the good news, it may not be enough to fully offset the effects of the last three years of drought. Reservoirs fed by the Sierra’s watersheds are still low all over the state, and dry soil conditions will absorb much of the snowpack’s water content that otherwise would help replenish the reservoirs during the spring and early summer melt. The projections for water delivery to cities and farms remain low, but if wet weather continues the SWP (State Water Project) could deliver up to 45% of requested water. DWR Director Mark Cowin stated in the report that for all these reasons plus “pumping restrictions to protect Delta fish, we must continue to conserve and protect our water resources.”
Still, the survey data does smile on whitewater rafting conditions for the 2010 season. With the FERC’s (Federal Energy Resource Commission) new licensing agreement for the Chili Bar Dam now firmly in place, there will be sufficient flows for rafting at least 6 days a week this season through Labor Day on the South Fork American River.
Many of us aren’t even waiting for winter to end to celebrate and take advantage of the good news. Several of the Malode Crew recently ran high-water river trips on the North Fork and Middle Fork of the Smith River. We’ve already seen the waters rise up to prime rafting levels on the North Fork American River and great high water boating conditions on the South Fork American River also during the big rains this week.
Right on Scotty, beam me up for some of that fine NorCal whitewater! I miss the NorFo, MoFo and SoFo so much since I've been here pounding rocks in here Folsom. If my view were a little better I could even keep an eye on the lake for ya! Send me a file so I can start working my way outta here.
Your Prison Buddy, Max