State Water Board hears hydrologic update: wet north, dry south; snowpack uneven

Board staff gave the State Water Resources Control Board an informational briefing Jan. 5 summarizing statewide precipitation, snowpack and reservoir conditions and advising that midwinter wet conditions do not guarantee adequate summer flows.

Jessica Bean of the Division of Water Rights presented maps and charts showing a strong north–south contrast in precipitation and snowpack: “we're looking at a 115 percent of average for the state,” she said, and noted that the northern Sierra shows substantially higher precipitation while the Tulare Basin and southern areas remain well below average.

Bean also summarized snowpack and temperature patterns, telling the board the northern Sierra snowpack and snow‑water equivalent were well above historical values for the date while the central and southern Sierra remained below average. She emphasized that most Sierra snowpack accrues January–March and is dynamic: “snowpack at this time of year is not a good indicator for the water year or of flows that will occur during the drier summer months,” she said.

Staff also flagged recent storm impacts such as thunderstorms, localized flooding and wind events and showed that most major reservoirs were at or above average storage levels at the time of the presentation. Bean reminded diverters that annual diversion and use reports for the prior water year are due Feb. 1 and reported compliance at the time she checked: “we are at about 19% compliance right now.”

Board members asked staff for additional updates on other basins; Vice Chair Doreen D'Adamo specifically requested an update on the Colorado River basin at the earliest opportunity. Chair Joaquin Esquivel scheduled a 10‑minute recess after the briefing to allow remote commenters time to join before the meeting moved to the Scott‑Shasta emergency regulation item.

No action was required; staff said they would continue to monitor conditions and return with updates as needed.