This year the good news is that the Sierra’s have snow. A recent survey by California Dept. of Water Resources found that this year’s snow pack is 87% of the historical average. The higher than normal February temperatures did not help to preserve the snow that will supply about 30% of California’s water needs. But, it is still a vast improvement over last year. Last year’s snow pack was a record low, going back to the 1950s. The lack of snow and the design of the California water system to pick up water from snow melt and not from warm spring rains lead to historic cutbacks in water usage by both agriculture and urban users. Also, good news is that the water storage for most of the Northern California reservoirs, with the exception of Trinity Lake, are almost all full. (Photo by Shasta Lake Chamber of Commerce)