california water supply outlook report

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UNITED STATES DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE NATURAL RESOURCES CONSERVATION SERVICE California Water Supply Outlook Report January, 2015 Picture of a SNOTEL Site during the summer. This is when maintenance work is performed. Note the large circular “Pillow” on the ground which uses pressure to determine the weight and Snow Water Equivalent of the snow. Photo courtesy of NRCS. The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) prohibits discrimination against its customers. If you believe you experienced discrimination when obtaining services from USDA, participating in a USDA program, or participating in a program that receives financial assistance from USDA, you may file a complaint with USDA. Information about how to file a discrimination complaint is available from the Office of the Assistant Secretary for Civil Rights. USDA prohibits discrimination in all its programs and activities on the basis of race, color, national origin, age, disability, and where applicable, sex (including gender identity and expression), marital status, familial status, parental status, religion, sexual orientation, political beliefs, genetic information, reprisal, or because all or part of an individual’s income is derived from any public assistance program. (Not all prohibited bases apply to all programs.) To file a complaint of discrimination, complete, sign, and mail a program discrimination complaint form, available at any USDA office location or online at www.ascr.usda.gov, or write to: USDA Office of the Assistant Secretary for Civil Rights 1400 Independence Avenue, SW. Washington, DC 202509410 Or call toll free at (866) 6329992 (voice) to obtain additional information, the appropriate office or to request documents. Individuals who are deaf, hard of lender. Persons with disabilities who require alternative means for communication of program information (e.g., Braille, large print, audiotape, etc.) should contact USDA's TARGET Center at (202) 7202600 (voice and TDD).

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UNITED STATES DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE

NATURAL RESOURCES CONSERVATION SERVICE

California Water Supply Outlook Report

 January, 2015

 

Picture of a SNOTEL Site during the summer. This is when maintenance work is performed. Note the large circular “Pillow” on the ground which uses pressure to determine the weight and Snow Water Equivalent of the snow. Photo courtesy of NRCS.

The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) prohibits discrimination against its customers. If you believe  you experienced discrimination when obtaining services from USDA, participating in a USDA program, or participating in a program that receives financial assistance from USDA, you may file a complaint with USDA. Information about how to file a discrimination complaint is available from the Office of the      Assistant Secretary for Civil Rights. USDA prohibits discrimination in all its programs and activities on the basis of race, color, national origin, age, disability, and where applicable, sex (including gender identity and expression), marital status, familial status, parental status, religion, sexual orientation, political beliefs, genetic information, reprisal, or because all or part of an individual’s income is derived from any public assistance program. (Not all prohibited bases apply to all programs.) To file a complaint of discrimination, complete, sign, and mail a program discrimination complaint form, available at any USDA office location or online at www.ascr.usda.gov, or write to: USDA Office of the Assistant Secretary for Civil Rights 1400 Independence Avenue, SW. Washington, DC 20250‐9410 Or call toll free at (866) 632‐9992 (voice) to obtain additional information, the appropriate office or to request documents. Individuals who are deaf, hard of lender. Persons with disabilities who require alternative means for communication of program information (e.g., Braille, large print, audiotape, etc.) should contact USDA's TARGET Center at (202) 720‐2600 (voice and TDD). 

    

 

 

Contents Basin Map

General Outlook

Forecast for Sacramento River Basin

Forecast for the San Joaquin River Basin

Forecast for the Tulare Lake Basin

Forecast for the North Coast Area Basin

Forecast for the Klamath Basin

Forecast for the Tahoe Lake Basin

Forecast for the Truckee River Basin

Forecast for the Carson River Basin

Forecast for the Waller River Basin

Forecast for the Owens River Basin

Forecast for the Northern Great Basin

Forecast for the Lower Colorado River Basin

How Forecasts are Made

 

 

STATE OF CALIFORNIA GENERAL OUTLOOK January, 2015

 SUMMARY The 2015 snow accumulation season started out in October 2014 under very dry conditions due to the drought experienced during 2012 to 2014. However, noteworthy precipitation during December 2014 increased soil moisture within the soil profile, established a beginning snowpack at the upper elevations, and began the process of filling water storage reservoirs.  SNOWPACK January snowpack conditions for the Northern, Central, and Southern Sierras are below normal for this time of year. Although not as low as this time last year, the snow water equivalents are below 50% of normal with a downward trend due to higher than normal day time temperatures and long durations between storms. For more information please visit: http://cdec.water.ca.gov/cgi-progs/snow/DLYSWEQ PRECIPITATION Mountain precipitation during the fall of 2014 through the end of December 2014 varied throughout the Sierra Mountain Range. Rainfall gages in the Northern Sierra Region (8-Station index) show rainfall amounts to be at 114% of normal. Gages used to develop a Central Sierra Region (5-Station index) show rainfall amounts to be below average at 61% of normal for this time of year. The Southern Sierra region is also below average at 60% of normal for this time of year. http://cdec.water.ca.gov/snow_rain.html RESERVOIRS Most major reservoirs in California, especially those fed by the Sierra Mountains and Foothills are still below average capacity for this time of year. Early January reports show Lake Oroville is at about 60 percent of normal storage, Lake Shasta is at 65 percent of normal storage, and New Hogan is at 38 percent of normal storage. Interestingly, Folsom Lake was fortunate to receive intense rainfall on its contributing watershed to allow the storage to recover to about 90 percent of normal storage. http://cdec.water.ca.gov/cgi-progs/reservoirs/RES STREAMFLOW Forecasted flows from Sierra fed streams all show below normal due to the lack of snowpack to date. The streamflow forecasts for the major basins in California are shown as follows:

 

Sacramento River Basin 1/1/2015 

 

Forecasted streamflow volumes for this April through July are below average, ranging from 48% to 85% of 

average. ================================================================================

SACRAMENTO RIVER BASIN Streamflow Forecasts - January 1, 2015

================================================================================ | <=== Drier === Future Conditions === Wetter ===> | | | Forecast Pt | ============== Chance of Exceeding * ============== |

Forecast | 90% 70% | 50% (Most Prob) | 30% 10% | 30 Yr Avg Period |(1000AF) (1000AF)|(1000AF) (% AVG.)|(1000AF) (1000AF)| (1000AF) ================================================================================ Sacramento R at Shasta (NWS)

APR-JUL 137 195 245 79 332 440 312 McCloud R ab Shasta (NWS)

APR-JUL 223 260 302 77 358 474 392 Pit R at Shasta Lk (NWS)

APR-JUL 497 524 639 63 817 1035 1013 Inflow to Shasta Lk (NWS)

APR-JUL 1001 1151 1388 77 1723 2454 1803 Sacramento R nr Red Bluff (NWS)

APR-JUL 1484 1761 2115 85 2764 4014 2479 NF Feather R nr Prattville (NWS)

APR-JUL 96 122 159 48 193 265 333 Inflow to Oroville Res (NWS)

APR-JUL 467 723 1057 62 1387 2209 1701 N Yuba R bl Goodyears Bar (NWS)

APR-JUL 99 148 212 78 245 365 273 Yuba R at Smartville (NWS)

APR-JUL 331 508 682 70 850 1309 981 MF American R nr Auburn (NWS)

APR-JUL 153 224 333 68 432 653 490 Inflow to Union Valley Res (NWS)

APR-JUL 27 41 62 63 80 114 98 Silver Ck bl Camino Div. Dam (NWS)

APR-JUL 51 74 108 68 140 206 158 Inflow to Folsom Res (NWS)

APR-JUL 335 494 803 65 1026 1666 1232

================================================================================ * 90%, 70%, 50%, 30%, and 10% chances of exceeding are the probabilities that the actual volume will exceed the volumes in the table. The average is computed for the 1981-2010 base period. (1) - The values listed under the 10% and 90% Chance of Exceeding are actually 5% and 95% exceedance levels. (2) - The value is natural volume - actual volume may be affected by upstream

water management.

 

San Joaquin River Basin 1/1/2015 

 

Forecasted streamflow volumes for this April through July are below average, ranging from 54% to 72% of 

average. ================================================================================ SAN JOAQUIN RIVER BASIN Streamflow Forecasts - January 1, 2015 ================================================================================ | <=== Drier === Future Conditions === Wetter ===> | | | Forecast Pt | ============== Chance of Exceeding * ============== | Forecast | 90% 70% | 50% (Most Prob) | 30% 10% | 30 Yr Avg Period |(1000AF) (1000AF)|(1000AF) (% AVG.)|(1000AF) (1000AF)| (1000AF) ================================================================================ Cosumnes R at Michigan Bar (NWS) APR-JUL 25 43 73 57 122 217 128 Inflow to Pardee Res (NWS) APR-JUL 159 194 288 62 414 589 467 Inflow to New Melones Res (NWS) APR-JUL 172 248 374 54 564 810 690 Tuolumne R nr Hetch Hetchy (NWS) APR-JUL 234 303 428 72 581 740 596 Inflow to New Don Pedro Res (NWS) APR-JUL 452 574 846 66 1250 1559 1288 Merced R, Pohono Bridge Yosemite (NWS) APR-JUL 126 154 256 67 358 511 385 Inflow to Lake McClure (NWS) APR-JUL 165 210 372 58 570 877 642 Inflow to Millerton Lk (NWS) APR-JUL 305 367 711 57 1201 1597 1258 ================================================================================ * 90%, 70%, 50%, 30%, and 10% chances of exceeding are the probabilities that the actual volume will exceed the volumes in the table. The average is computed for the 1981-2010 base period. (1) - The values listed under the 10% and 90% Chance of Exceeding are actually 5% and 95% exceedance levels. (2) - The value is natural volume - actual volume may be affected by upstream water management.

 

Tulare Lake Basin 1/1/2015 

 

Forecasted streamflow volumes for this April through July are below average, ranging from 41% to 64% of 

average. ================================================================================ TULARE LAKE BASIN Streamflow Forecasts - January 1, 2015 ================================================================================ | <=== Drier === Future Conditions === Wetter ===> | | | Forecast Pt | ============== Chance of Exceeding * ============== | Forecast | 90% 70% | 50% (Most Prob) | 30% 10% | 30 Yr Avg Period |(1000AF) (1000AF)|(1000AF) (% AVG.)|(1000AF) (1000AF)| (1000AF) ================================================================================ Inflow to Pine Flat Res (NWS) APR-JUL 365 440 784 64 1156 1572 1231 Kaweah R at Terminus Res (NWS) APR-JUL 47 79 157 55 268 386 288 Tule R at Success Res (NWS) APR-JUL 7.0 12.0 26 41 54 94 63 Inflow to Isabella Res (NWS) APR-JUL 78 144 279 62 448 628 454 ================================================================================ * 90%, 70%, 50%, 30%, and 10% chances of exceeding are the probabilities that the actual volume will exceed the volumes in the table. The average is computed for the 1981-2010 base period. (1) - The values listed under the 10% and 90% Chance of Exceeding are actually 5% and 95% exceedance levels. (2) - The value is natural volume - actual volume may be affected by upstream water management.

 

North Coast Area Basin 1/1/2015 

 

Forecasted streamflow volumes for this April through July are below average, ranging from 46% to 77% of 

average. ================================================================================ NORTH COASTAL AREA Streamflow Forecasts - January 1, 2015 ================================================================================ | <=== Drier === Future Conditions === Wetter ===> | | | Forecast Pt | ============== Chance of Exceeding * ============== | Forecast | 90% 70% | 50% (Most Prob) | 30% 10% | 30 Yr Avg Period |(1000AF) (1000AF)|(1000AF) (% AVG.)|(1000AF) (1000AF)| (1000AF) ================================================================================ Inflow to Clair Engle Lk (NWS) APR-JUL 317 441 513 77 678 861 666 Scott R nr Fort Jones (NWS) APR-JUL 0.0 1.0 80 46 103 161 173 ================================================================================ * 90%, 70%, 50%, 30%, and 10% chances of exceeding are the probabilities that the actual volume will exceed the volumes in the table. The average is computed for the 1981-2010 base period. (1) - The values listed under the 10% and 90% Chance of Exceeding are actually 5% and 95% exceedance levels. (2) - The value is natural volume - actual volume may be affected by upstream water management.

 

Klamath Basin

January 1, 2015  

As of January 1, the basin snowpack was 37% of normal. This is significantly higher than last year on Jan 1, when the basin snowpack was 19% of normal.  December precipitation was 138% of average. Precipitation since the beginning of the water year (October 1 ‐ January 1) has been 120% of average.    Reservoir storage conditions vary widely across the basin. As of January 1, reservoir storage ranged from 15% of average at Clear Lake to 103% of average at Upper Klamath Lake.  Forecasted streamflow volumes for this April through July are below average, ranging from 39% to 61% of average. 

 

  

 

================================================================================ KLAMATH BASIN Streamflow Forecasts - January 1, 2015 ================================================================================ | <=== Drier === Future Conditions === Wetter ===> | | | Forecast Pt | ============== Chance of Exceeding * ============== | Forecast | 90% 70% | 50% (Most Prob) | 30% 10% | 30 Yr Avg Period |(1000AF) (1000AF)|(1000AF) (% AVG.)|(1000AF) (1000AF)| (1000AF) ================================================================================ Clear Lk Inflow (2) FEB-JUL 1.9 26 42 45 94 145 93 APR-SEP 0.7 7.7 14.0 40 34 54 35 Gerber Res Inflow (2) FEB-JUL 1.2 11.8 19.0 46 42 65 41 APR-SEP 0.3 1.4 5.6 39 15.6 26 14.4 Sprague R nr Chiloquin FEB-JUL 20 115 180 61 245 340 295 Upper Klamath Lake Inflow FEB-JUL 121 388 440 61 632 899 720 Upper Klamath Lk Inflow (1) APR-SEP 62 240 250 52 400 578 480 Williamson R bl Sprague R FEB-JUL 140 260 290 61 423 543 475 Williamson R bl Sprague R nr Chiloquin APR-SEP 115 196 200 56 305 385 355 ================================================================================ * 90%, 70%, 50%, 30%, and 10% chances of exceeding are the probabilities that the actual volume will exceed the volumes in the table. The average is computed for the 1981-2010 base period. (1) - The values listed under the 10% and 90% Chance of Exceeding are actually 5% and 95% exceedance levels. (2) - The value is natural volume - actual volume may be affected by upstream water management.           

 

Lake Tahoe Basin 1/1/2015 

 

Snowpack in the Lake Tahoe Basin is much below average at 43% of normal, compared to 33% last year. Precipitation in December was below average at 76%, which brings the seasonal accumulation (Oct‐Dec) to 65% of average. Soil moisture is at 52% compared to 27% last year. Lake Tahoe's water elevation is 6222.51 ft., which is 0.49 feet below the lake’s natural rim and equals a storage deficit of about 59,490 acre‐feet. Last year the elevation was 6223.59 ft. and the useable storage equaled 71,590 acre‐feet. Lake Tahoe is forecast to rise 0.8 feet from March to its high elevation. 

 

 

    

 

 ================================================================================ LAKE TAHOE BASIN Streamflow Forecasts - January 1, 2015 ================================================================================ | <=== Drier === Future Conditions === Wetter ===> | | | Forecast Pt | ============== Chance of Exceeding * ============== | Forecast | 90% 70% | 50% (Most Prob) | 30% 10% | 30 Yr Avg Period |(1000AF) (1000AF)|(1000AF) (% AVG.)|(1000AF) (1000AF)| (1000AF) ================================================================================ Marlette Lk Inflow (Acre-Ft) MAR-JUL -653.0 63 550 45 1037 1753 1213 APR-JUL -706.0 -71.0 360 40 791 1426 911 Lake Tahoe Rise (Gates Closed) (1) MAR-HIGH 0.06 0.44 0.8 46 1.24 1.91 1.73 APR-HIGH 0.20 0.60 0.7 53 1.20 1.84 1.31 ================================================================================ * 90%, 70%, 50%, 30%, and 10% chances of exceeding are the probabilities that the actual volume will exceed the volumes in the table. The average is computed for the 1981-2010 base period. (1) - The values listed under the 10% and 90% Chance of Exceeding are actually 5% and 95% exceedance levels. (2) - The value is natural volume - actual volume may be affected by upstream water management.  

 

 

 

 

Truckee River Basin 1/1/2015 

 Snowpack in the Truckee River Basin is much below average at 65% of normal, compared to 22% last year. Precipitation in December was near average at 90%, which brings the seasonal accumulation (Oct‐Dec) to 74% of average. Soil moisture is at 43% compared to 13% last year. Reservoir storage is at 28% of capacity, compared to 45% last year. Forecast streamflow volumes range from 27% to 65% of average. 

 

 

 

================================================================================ TRUCKEE RIVER BASIN Streamflow Forecasts - January 1, 2015 ================================================================================ | <=== Drier === Future Conditions === Wetter ===> | | | Forecast Pt | ============== Chance of Exceeding * ============== | Forecast | 90% 70% | 50% (Most Prob) | 30% 10% | 30 Yr Avg Period |(1000AF) (1000AF)|(1000AF) (% AVG.)|(1000AF) (1000AF)| (1000AF) ================================================================================ Sagehen Ck nr Truckee MAR-JUL 0.9 1.4 1.9 30 2.5 3.9 6.4 APR-JUL 0.7 1.1 1.5 27 2.0 3.2 5.6 L Truckee R ab Boca Resv MAR-JUL 1.8 16.6 57 58 73 115 99 APR-JUL 28 42 50 60 80 110 84 Truckee R at Farad MAR-JUL 6.0 115 199 65 283 406 307 APR-JUL 94 130 155 61 229 339 255 ================================================================================ * 90%, 70%, 50%, 30%, and 10% chances of exceeding are the probabilities that the actual volume will exceed the volumes in the table. The average is computed for the 1981-2010 base period. (1) - The values listed under the 10% and 90% Chance of Exceeding are actually 5% and 95% exceedance levels. (2) - The value is natural volume - actual volume may be affected by upstream water management.

   

 

Carson River Basin 1/1/2015 

 Snowpack in the Truckee River Basin is much below average at 65% of normal, compared to 22% last year. Precipitation in December was near average at 90%, which brings the seasonal accumulation (Oct‐Dec) to 74% of average. Soil moisture is at 43% compared to 13% last year. Reservoir storage is at 28% of capacity, compared to 45% last year. Forecast streamflow volumes range from 54% to 64% of average. 

    

 

 

================================================================================ CARSON RIVER BASIN Streamflow Forecasts - January 1, 2015 ================================================================================ | <=== Drier === Future Conditions === Wetter ===> | | | Forecast Pt | ============== Chance of Exceeding * ============== | Forecast | 90% 70% | 50% (Most Prob) | 30% 10% | 30 Yr Avg Period |(1000AF) (1000AF)|(1000AF) (% AVG.)|(1000AF) (1000AF)| (1000AF) ================================================================================ EF Carson R nr Gardnerville MAR-JUL 4.0 66 120 59 174 254 205 APR-JUL 55 82 100 54 118 145 186 WF Carson R at Woodfords MAR-JUL 2.4 20 38 64 56 81 59 APR-JUL 1.1 15.4 32 59 49 73 54 ================================================================================ * 90%, 70%, 50%, 30%, and 10% chances of exceeding are the probabilities that the actual volume will exceed the volumes in the table. The average is computed for the 1981-2010 base period. (1) - The values listed under the 10% and 90% Chance of Exceeding are actually 5% and 95% exceedance levels. (2) - The value is natural volume - actual volume may be affected by upstream water management.

 

Walker River Basin 1/1/2015 

 Snowpack in the Walker River Basin is much below average at 68% of normal, compared to 30% last year.  Precipitation in December was much below average at 65%, which brings the seasonal accumulation (Oct‐Dec) to 57% of average.  Soil moisture is at 20% compared to 6% last year. Reservoir storage is at 10% of capacity, compared to 12% last year.  Forecast streamflow volumes range from 60% to 67% of average. 

 

================================================================================ WALKER RIVER BASIN Streamflow Forecasts - January 1, 2015 ================================================================================ | <=== Drier === Future Conditions === Wetter ===> | | | Forecast Pt | ============== Chance of Exceeding * ============== | Forecast | 90% 70% | 50% (Most Prob) | 30% 10% | 30 Yr Avg Period |(1000AF) (1000AF)|(1000AF) (% AVG.)|(1000AF) (1000AF)| (1000AF) ================================================================================ E Walker R nr Bridgeport MAR-AUG 1.5 24 48 63 72 107 76 APR-AUG 0.7 19.1 40 60 61 92 67 W Walker R bl L Walker R nr Coleville MAR-JUL 3.0 67 110 65 153 217 170 APR-JUL 5.0 62 104 64 146 208 162 W Walker R nr Coleville MAR-JUL 106 112 115 67 118 124 172 APR-JUL 93 98 101 62 104 109 163 ================================================================================ * 90%, 70%, 50%, 30%, and 10% chances of exceeding are the probabilities that the actual volume will exceed the volumes in the table. The average is computed for the 1981-2010 base period. (1) - The values listed under the 10% and 90% Chance of Exceeding are actually 5% and 95% exceedance levels. (2) - The value is natural volume - actual volume may be affected by upstream water management.

 

 

 

Owens River Basin 1/1/2015 

 

 

 ================================================================================ OWENS RIVER BASIN Streamflow Forecasts - January 1, 2015 ================================================================================ | <=== Drier === Future Conditions === Wetter ===> | | | Forecast Pt | ============== Chance of Exceeding * ============== | Forecast | 90% 70% | 50% (Most Prob) | 30% 10% | 30 Yr Avg Period |(1000AF) (1000AF)|(1000AF) (% AVG.)|(1000AF) (1000AF)| (1000AF) ================================================================================ Forecast is unavailable in January ================================================================================ * 90%, 70%, 50%, 30%, and 10% chances of exceeding are the probabilities that the actual volume will exceed the volumes in the table. The average is computed for the 1981-2010 base period. (1) - The values listed under the 10% and 90% Chance of Exceeding are actually 5% and 95% exceedance levels. (2) - The value is natural volume - actual volume may be affected by upstream water management.

   

 

Northern Great Basin 1/1/2015 

 Snowpack in the Northern Great Basin is near average at 102% of normal, compared to 34% last year. Precipitation in December was much above average at 132%, which brings the seasonal accumulation (Oct‐Dec) to 117% of average. Soil moisture is at 48% compared to 13% last year. Forecast streamflow volumes range from 48% to 70% of average.  

 

================================================================================ NORTHERN GREAT BASIN Streamflow Forecasts - January 1, 2015 ================================================================================ | <=== Drier === Future Conditions === Wetter ===> | | | Forecast Pt | ============== Chance of Exceeding * ============== | Forecast | 90% 70% | 50% (Most Prob) | 30% 10% | 30 Yr Avg Period |(1000AF) (1000AF)|(1000AF) (% AVG.)|(1000AF) (1000AF)| (1000AF) ================================================================================ Eagle Ck nr Eagleville APR-JUL 0.1 0.5 2.2 51 4.0 6.5 4.3 Bidwell CK nr Ft. Bidwell APR-JUL 0.9 3.8 5.8 48 7.8 10.7 12.0 ================================================================================ * 90%, 70%, 50%, 30%, and 10% chances of exceeding are the probabilities that the actual volume will exceed the volumes in the table. The average is computed for the 1981-2010 base period. (1) - The values listed under the 10% and 90% Chance of Exceeding are actually 5% and 95% exceedance levels. (2) - The value is natural volume - actual volume may be affected by upstream water management

 

 

Lower Colorado River Basin 1/1/2015 

 Snowpack in the Colorado River Basin is forecasted to produce 89% of normal runoff into Lake Powell during the April to July months.   

 

================================================================================ COLORADO RIVER BASIN Streamflow Forecasts - January 1, 2015 ================================================================================ | <=== Drier === Future Conditions === Wetter ===> | | | Forecast Pt | ============== Chance of Exceeding * ============== | Forecast | 90% 70% | 50% (Most Prob) | 30% 10% | 30 Yr Avg Period |(1000AF) (1000AF)|(1000AF) (% AVG.)|(1000AF) (1000AF)| (1000AF) ================================================================================ Lake Powell Inflow Apr-Jul 3130 4940 6400 89 8050 10800 7160 ================================================================================ * 90%, 70%, 50%, 30%, and 10% chances of exceeding are the probabilities that the actual volume will exceed the volumes in the table. The average is computed for the 1981-2010 base period. (1) - The values listed under the 10% and 90% Chance of Exceeding are actually 5% and 95% exceedance levels. (2) - The value is natural volume - actual volume may be affected by upstream water management      

 

How forecasts are made Most of the annual streamflow in the western United States originates as snowfall that has accumulated in the mountains during the winter and early spring. As the snowpack accumulates, hydrologists estimate the runoff that will occur when it melts. Measurements of snow water equivalent at selected manual snowcourses and automated SNOTEL sites, along with precipitation, antecedent streamflow, and indices of the El Niño / Southern Oscillation are used in computerized statistical and simulation models to prepare runoff forecasts. These forecasts are coordinated between hydrologists in the Natural Resources Conservation Service and the National Weather Service. Unless otherwise specified, all forecasts are for flows that would occur naturally without any upstream influences. Forecasts of any kind, of course, are not perfect. Streamflow forecast uncertainty arises from three primary sources: (1) uncertain knowledge of future weather conditions, (2) uncertainty in the forecasting procedure, and (3) errors in the data. The forecast, therefore, must be interpreted not as a single value but rather as a range of values with specific probabilities of occurrence. The middle of the range is expressed by the 50% exceedance probability forecast, for which there is a 50% chance that the actual flow will be above, and a 50% chance that the actual flow will be below, this value. To describe the expected range around this 50% value, four other forecasts are provided, two smaller values (90% and 70% exceedance probability) and two larger values (30%, and 10% exceedance probability). For example, there is a 90% chance that the actual flow will be more than the 90% exceedance probability forecast. The others can be interpreted similarly. The wider the spread among these values, the more uncertain the forecast. As the season progresses, forecasts become more accurate, primarily because a greater portion of the future weather conditions become known; this is reflected by a narrowing of the range around the 50% exceedance probability forecast. Users should take this uncertainty into consideration when making operational decisions by selecting forecasts corresponding to the level of risk they are willing to assume about the amount of water to be expected. If users anticipate receiving a lesser supply of water, or if they wish to increase their chances of having an adequate supply of water for their operations, they may want to base their decisions on the 90% or 70% exceedance probability forecasts, or something in between. On the other hand, if users are concerned about receiving too much water (for example, threat of flooding), they may want to base their decisions on the 30% or 10% exceedance probability forecasts, or something in between. Regardless of the forecast value users choose for operations, they should be prepared to deal with either more or less water. (Users should remember that even if the 90% exceedance probability forecast is used, there is still a 10% chance of receiving less than this amount.) By using the exceedance probability information, users can easily determine the chances of receiving more or less water. 

 

Issued by Released by  Jason Weller Carlos Suarez Chief State Conservationist Natural Resources Conservation Service Natural Resources Conservation Service U.S. Department of Agriculture Davis, CA  

  YOU MAY OBTAIN THIS PRODUCT AS WELL AS CURRENT SNOW, PRECIPITATION, TEMPERATURE AND SOIL MOISTURE, RESERVOIR, SURFACE WATER SUPPLY INDEX, AND OTHER DATA BY VISITING OUR WEB SITE: www.nrcs.usda.gov/wps/portal/nrcs/main/ca/snow/

                        

 

California Water Supply Outlook Report

Natural Resources Conservation Service Davis, CA