LA RAINFALL
Source: Los Angeles Times Daily Weather Section; downtown Los Angeles readings. The LA Times utilizes data on a season/annual basis that begins July 1 and ends June 30 of each year. Thus, current season means “from July 1, 2009 to date”, and season norm means “from July 1 to date.” Each of these data are updated daily by the LA Times, and updated monthly on this web site.
CALIFORNIA SNOW LEVELS
Source: California Department of Water Resources; California Data Exchange Center; California Cooperative Snow Surveys; this statistic shows two key statistics describing the percent of snow water equivalents (i.e., moisture content in the snow pack): 1) as a percent of normal; and 2) based on the assumption of an April 1 “peak snow water accumulation” date.
Note: The most important characteristic of snow to water managers and hydrologists is its water content. However, depth is of interest to many people also. State data collection equipment measures the weight of the snowpack, and therefore its water content. New-fallen snow can range in density depending on the air temperature and intensity of the storm. In California, densities of 12% are common. This means that for every 10 inches of snow that accumulates, it will melt to a pool of water 1.2 inches deep. After snow falls, it settles and compacts. The snowpack gets less and less deep, but the snow doesn't melt or go anywhere. Rather, its density increases. Therefore, snow depth is a fleeting indicator of the snowpack. By obtaining a measure of the water content of the snow, which doesn't change unless more precipitation occurs or the pack melts, we have a good handle on how the rivers will react in the spring. After May, the snowpack melts due to both rainfall and the intense sunshine of late spring and summer, which is the principal melting energy source.
CALIFORNIA RESERVOIR LEVELS
Source: California Department of Water Resources; California Data Exchange Center; Summary of Storage in Major Reservoirs; includes 158 reservoirs in California, North Coast, and Colorado River (Lake Mead, Lake Powell); these statistics show reservoir levels statewide, both as a percentage of average and a percentage of capacity as of December 31, 2008.
WATERING INDEX
Source: Metropolitan Water District. The Watering Index is a scientifically based guide to help people adjust watering schedules for landscape irrigation controllers (also commonly known as "timers") that include a water budget adjustment feature. This feature - either a button or a dial - permits the watering run times for all electric valves managed by a controller to be increased or decreased with just one adjustment. The Watering Index represents the recommended percentage setting for the watering adjustment feature. The index is normally 100 percent for much of July and August. Over the course of the year the index changes to reflect the landscape’s changing need for water as climatic conditions change. As new Watering Index values are published weekly, the controller’s percentage adjust feature should be changed to match the current index value.
Note: the Watering Index does not provide watering times for each electric valve or station. Instead, it simply specifies a value that the percentage adjust feature should be set at. The watering times will automatically change across the board when the percentage adjust setting is changed.
On Wednesday, December 14, an educational water tour was organized by the SGVMWD and hosted by Director Raul Romero for member city Azusa. Future educational tours are being planned for the cities of Alhambra, Monterey Park and Sierra Madre.
Assemblyman Roger Hernandez (left of H2Owl) and Director Raul Romero (right of H2Owl) join guests at start of educational water tour.
Tour attendees stand on platform adjacent to Devil Canyon Power Plant where water imported via the State Water Project enters the Devil Canyon-Azusa pipeline owned and operated by SGVMWD.
The purpose of the educational tour was to travel the length of the District's pipeline from the point where the Devil Canyon-Azusa pipeline "connects" to the State Water Project (California Aqueduct) and then extends 30+ miles to the San Gabriel Spreading Grounds in Azusa so that guests would better understand the investment our member cities have made in water infrastructure and the diverse operations along the pipeline. Guests observed hydroelectric/green power facilities, pressure reducing stations, spreading grounds, water conservation education programs, and the District's computerized control headquarters.
The District invited elected officials, business leaders, pilot project partners and environmental groups to participate in the tour. Assemblyman Roger Hernandez and his staff were in attendance, as well as representatives from the offices of Congresswoman Judy Chu and Senator Ed Hernandez and representatives from Azusa Pacific University, the California Trail Users Coalition, the City of Azusa and Upper San Gabriel Valley Municipal Water District.
H20wl Encourages Water Conservation at Youth and Community Events. Click a "thumbnail" for details...
H2Owl and students from Mark Keppel and Schurr High Schools environmental clubs distributed conservation tips and other items outside the Monterey Park Library on 7/13/11. Local kids from Monterey Park had some fun with H2Owl.
Director Paulson with the Alhambra Football team and Coach Torres at a recent presentation in Alhambra.
Director Tom Love updated the Sierra Madre City Council and residents on the Water Districts programs and efforts for 2011; Love was joined by H2Owl and students from Sierra Madre
H2Owl and student volunteers in Sierra Madre prepare to distribute water saving devices and educational information to the public
H2Owl cheering runners on at start of the Golden Days 5 K run in Azusa.
More than 1,000 residents attended the day long festivities at Alhambra Park. H2Owl was joined by Alhambra High School ERAS members.
Monerey Park City Library employees join H2Owl distributing water conservation information to Monterey park residents.
H2Owl and Mayor Joe Rocha after completion of the Azusa Golden Days 5K Run
H2Owl joins Deputy Dew Drop in welcoming thousands of attendees to Upper San Gabriel Water District’s WaterFest event on Saturday October 15.
The City of Azusa Utility Board/City Council, Director Raul Romero and H2Owl joined together on Monday, November 28, 2011 to dedicate water conservation pilot projects at both the Department of Light and Water and Memorial Park's North Recreation Center.
California's Sierra Nevada snowpack measured a meager 15 inches in some places, officials announced Wednesday, bearing bad news to a state that depends on snowmelt to meet the water needs of 25 million people and more than a million acres of farmland.
When the economy is stalled and the headlines are awash with bad news, the conventional wisdom is that the public is not inclined to support big projects. But a recent survey suggests that may not be the case when it comes to fixing California's water system..
La Niña conditions should foreshadow a dry winter, but Sunday was anything but in the Los Angeles region. Showers flooded streets and sent motorists sliding and colliding on muddy and rain-slicked roads.
The twin forces of power costs and climate-change regulations are threatening Southern California's long love affair with imported water, forcing the region to consider more mundane sources closer to home.
Much of the West's high country remains buried under a snowpack. Dam operators are watching for jumps in temperature that could turn piles of snow into raging floodwaters.
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