Is snowpack still near record for Modesto watershed? Numbers to know as storms pause
The latest storm kept 2023 in the running for record snowfall in the central Sierra Nevada.
It stands at 223% of the historical average for March 13, the California Department of Water Resources said. The snowpack is the main water source for Stanislaus County and other areas.
It was virtually the same size at this time in 1983, which went on to set the record at 230%.
A caveat: That year had plenty of snowfall in April and May, when the main part of the storm season is usually over. The pack kept building at a time when in most years it is melting.
Other numbers of note as of Monday about the 2023 conditions:
- A total of 16.34 inches of rain has fallen on the downtown headquarters of the Modesto Irrigation District since the July 1 start of the water year. The city had 21.46 inches at this point in 1983 on its way to a record 26.01 inches.
- Don Pedro Reservoir on the Tuolumne River was at 82% of capacity, and at 111% of the historical average for this time of year. Sierra reservoirs could easily fill now, but they have to release some water downstream to prepare for the snowmelt. Don Pedro supplies MID and the Turlock Irrigation District.
- New Melones Reservoir on the Stanislaus River is at 50% of capacity and 83% of its historical average. It stores water for the Oakdale and South San Joaquin irrigation districts and the federal Central Valley Project.
- San Luis Reservoir was at 86% of capacity and 104% of the historical average. It holds water pumped from the Sacramento-San Joaquin Delta for the CVP and State Water Project.
This story was originally published March 13, 2023 at 10:52 AM.
John Holland
The Modesto Bee