End-of-Season Snow Survey - Another Sub-Par Year

This may seem like the winter that won't end, but it hasn't brought us the big snow pack you might have expected. While last week's storms deposited a couple of feet of fresh snow in the Sierra, it still left us a bit short for the water year that ended on April 1. Here are the numbers as percentages of average, which are better than the last three years...

• Truckee River Basin - 91%
• Lake Tahoe Basin - 88%
• Carson River Basin - 92%
• Walker River Basin - 91%

There is more headed our way during this first part of April, though probably not enough to really fill up reservoirs depleted by the last few dry years in a row. Even so, officials at the Truckee Meadows Water Authority (TMWA) don't think they will be tapping into drought reserves to meet demand through the summer months. Speaking about the latest storms, Bill Hauck, water supply coordinator for TMWA, said, "The timing was significant. It really will help."

Meanwhile, fans of fluffy snow can get in some spring skiing and snow play while it lasts. Before you know it, we'll all be whining about the heat and looking forward to next winter.

Sources: Reno Gazette-Journal, National Water and Climate Center.

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