Photos by David Westphal/LADWP
Following the final snow surveys for the 2023-24 winter season, the LADWP announced in April that the Eastern Sierra snowpack measured 103 percent of normal, providing ample supplies through the City’s most cost-efficient water supply from the Los Angeles Aqueduct.
This year’s snowpack, while initially underwhelming compared to the record-breaking measurements in 2023, increased significantly in February and March and ended up exceeding expectations with above-normal conditions, according to the LADWP.
snowpack team back in May 2008.
“While our reservoirs are full following two wet winters, we are still seeing the impacts of climate whiplash across the state,” said LADWP General Manager and Chief Engineer Martin L. Adams. “We know we have to stay focused on our investments in local water supply projects as LADWP continues to evolve and balance the needs of our customers with the challenges associated with extreme weather patterns, more than anything else, we encourage our customers to stay vigilant in their water wise practices, which have helped keep water conservation citywide near record highs.”
Snow surveys gauge snow amounts and water content of the snow by taking real-time measurements of snow course depth and water content. The collected data is crucial for calculating spring and summer water runoff and water supply projections from the Los Angeles Aqueduct. A typical runoff season lasts anywhere from May to June.
Alive! featured the LADWP snowpack team back in May of 2008.
