Water Supply Concerns
Tim Hammerich
News Reporter
Below normal Western Snowpack totals are causing more and more concern about regional water supplies headed into the spring and summer. USDA meteorologist Brad Rippey says although reservoirs are holding well, there are certainly reasons to be concerned about the current low snowpack levels.
Rippey… “ we do have grave concerns about the availability of water to meet all needs. Everything from municipal use to recreational use, as well as agricultural and environmental concerns as well with low water levels. But California as a whole with its overall reservoir situation is in pretty good shape. The latest numbers coming in from the California Department of Water Resources. Actually indicate that the reservoirs in California are holding well above average water storage for this time of year. There is a little bit of a buffer against these low snow pack numbers, but as the summer wears on, if we don't add much snow for the remainder of March, we could see some water restrictions there. The situation is much more dire as you move into the other areas that have lower snow pack numbers like Oregon, Nevada, and the Southwestern United States. That could become rather critical as water could run out early. Snowpack is expected to melt off unusually early.”
Rippey said if conditions don’t change, this also opens the West up to a potential extended wildfire season.
