In the wake of record-setting snowfalls in the Sierra Nevada Mountains over the past six months, California and federal officials are preparing to handle the flooding threat posed by imminent meltwater runoff. The efforts include releasing water from the state's key dams to allow for the expected capacity, preparing emergency responses for imperiled area's in the state's Central Valley and launching groundwater recharge projects.
On May 1, California's Department of Water Resources (DWR) conducted its fifth seasonal snow survey at Phillips Station in El Dorado County. The survey recorded a snow depth of 59 in. and a snow water equivalent of 30 in., 241% of the average for that location. The last year of measurable snow on May 1 at the site was in 2020 when only 1.5 in. of snow and 0.5 in. of snow water equivalent were recorded.