Statewide on Friday there was nearly twice as much snow in the
Sierra Nevada Mountains as is typical for March 3, the
California Department of Water Resources said. The snow also was
dense and wet, meaning that it held nearly 170% of the typical
amount of water for this time of year, the agency said.
The snowpack is considered California's largest reservoir, and
is vital to fill streams and lakes as it slowly melts.
"We could not be more fortunate to have this kind of
precipitation after three very punishing years of dry and
drought conditions," said Department of Water Resources Director
Karla Nemeth.
The record precipitation and accompanying powerful storms in
December and February have also dramatically lessened
California's ongoing drought, a team of U.S. government agencies
said this week.
The U.S. Drought Monitor map released Thursday by the National
Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration and cooperating agencies
showed that 17% of California was not experiencing any sort of
abnormal dryness, while another third was dry but no longer
officially in a state of drought.
By contrast, just three months ago the entire state was
considered to be experiencing drought conditions. California has
cycled through four periods of drought since 2000, making less
water available to irrigate crops and sustain wildlife along
with meeting the needs of the state's 40 million residents.
(Reporting by Sharon Bernstein; Editing by Leslie Adler and
Aurora Ellis)
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