Record Storm will save California from drought
2023.03.06 03:01
Record Storm will save California from drought
By Kristina Sobol
Budrigannews.com – The state of California relies on a store of mountain snow to provide water during the warm, dry spring and summer, and record rainfall and snowfall over the past few weeks has helped lift half of the state out of a prolonged drought.
According to the California Department of Water Resources, there was nearly twice as much snow in the Sierra Nevada Mountains on Friday as is typical for March 3. The agency stated that the snow was also dense and wet, indicating that it contained nearly 170% of the typical amount of water for this time of year.
The snowpack, which is regarded as the largest reservoir in California, is essential for slowly filling streams and lakes.
According to Director of the Department of Water Resources Karla Nemeth, “We could not be more fortunate to have this kind of precipitation after three very punishing years of dry and drought conditions.”
A group of U.S. government agencies said this week that record precipitation and powerful storms in December and February have also significantly reduced California’s ongoing drought.
The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration and cooperating agencies released the U.S. Drought Monitor map on Thursday. It showed that 17% of California was dry but not officially in a drought, and another third was dry but not officially in a drought.
In contrast, the state as a whole was thought to be experiencing drought conditions just three months ago. Since 2000, California has experienced four droughts, leaving less water available to irrigate crops, support wildlife, and meet the needs of the state’s 40 million residents.
