California is not currently in a drought, but state water officials say conditions could worsen if another dry winter follows.
On Wednesday, the California Department of Water Resources (DWR) released results from its fourth and final snowpack survey of the year, showing the April 1 measurement as the second-lowest since 1950. Data collected from more than 260 sites across the Sierra Nevada found the statewide snowpack at just 18% of average—higher only than 2015’s record low of 5%.
Officials say the snowpack, which typically peaks around April 1, melted earlier than usual this year. March was marked by unusually warm temperatures and little precipitation, accelerating snowmelt to levels more typical of late spring.
DWR Director Karla Nemeth said two key factors contributed to the low snowpack: much of the winter precipitation fell as rain instead of snow, and March temperatures were significantly warmer than normal. Snowpack typically accounts for about 30% of California’s water supply and serves as a natural reservoir as it melts gradually into rivers and reservoirs.
Despite the poor snowpack, the state’s major reservoirs remain in relatively strong shape. The four largest—Oroville, Shasta, Trinity and New Melones—are all currently above their historical averages for this time of year.
Still, officials caution that the outlook could change quickly.
“We’ll have a clearer picture next year as to whether this marks the beginning of a hydrologic drought,” Nemeth said, noting that another dry winter could push California and much of the West into drought conditions.
With the rainy season now ending, water managers do not expect significant increases in reservoir levels. Some communities may also implement localized water-use restrictions depending on supply conditions.
“Depending on where you live, there may be limits on when you can water landscaping,” Nemeth said. “We’re not in a drought, but what we save now could be critical if next year is dry.”
In the Bay Area, water agencies say supplies remain stable for now. The East Bay Municipal Utility District reports its system is about 85% full, slightly above average for this time of year, and officials do not expect drought conditions in 2026.
Similarly, Santa Clara County’s Valley Water says no restrictions are planned this year, though officials are encouraging conservation. The agency has already seen reduced water allocations due to the dry winter and is urging residents to use water efficiently, particularly outdoors.
“We see this as a warning sign,” said Aaron Baker, chief operating officer for Valley Water’s utility division. “This year we’ll be fine, but next year will need to be a strong one to recover.”
Don’t forget in January 2025 Trump ordered the release of 2.2 billion gallons of water from a couple California reservoirs to send water to the Palisades fire in So Cal, even though there’s no physical infrastructure connecting that area. All of that water ended up in the dry Tulare lake bed where it evaporated. If that’s not incompetence then I don’t what what is.
Don’t forget JimH we don’t care about your infantile hatred of our duly elected president!!!
That narrative leaves out a lot of context. The release was about increasing overall water availability and pressure in a system that’s been mismanaged by California officials for decades. The real issue isn’t the release, it’s that the state has refused to build or maintain the infrastructure needed to move water where it’s actually needed.
Trump has been pointing out for years that California wastes massive amounts of water due to environmental policies and lack of storage and transport capacity. If water couldn’t reach Southern California, that’s a failure of state leadership and long-term planning, not the decision to try to make more water available in the first place.
Calling it incompetence ignores the bigger picture: the system itself is broken, and that didn’t start in 2025.
You just made that up. Those reservoirs are not connected to the LA water system and have no impact on water pressure down there. Also the releases occured January 30 – February 2 even though the fire was contained on Jan 31, so the attempt was silly based on timing alone.
We had tons of snow up there. Where did all the runoff go? Probably into the Pacific Ocean to save 10 Delta baitfish.
Does anyone remember the Palisade fires and how it came out that Gavy & the Bass released water right before the fires…
…if I recall correctly – much was soaked into the dry grounds and runoff went to reservoirs who then released a lot in anticipation of more snow – which didn’t happen
ok, we have a bunch of water now, but if we have a bunch of dry seasons we won’t have much afterward.Ok.
With Newscum allowing all these illegals to come in and all the building going on, he should never declare a drought in CA again. Nor any future governor that continues in Newscum’s path.