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.
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District Partners with Cal State LA To Provide Water Education to Students and Faculty
Following last summer's successful San Gabriel Valley Water Forum, the San Gabriel Valley Municipal Water District partnered with engineering and energy students and faculy at Cal State LA to provide a water education "mini-forum" on Monday, May 6th. Mike Eng, former Assembly member (49th A.D.) and recently elected to the LA Community College District Board of Trustees, served as moderator for the session, which included three topics: Is Our Water Safe to Drink? by Ken Manning, Executive Director, San Gabriel Basin Water Quality Authority; Vulnerability of the Bay Delta Imported Water System by Curt Schmutte, Metropolitan Water District; and the Bay Delta Conservation Plan Solution by Rich Atwater, Executive Director, Southern California Water Committee.
Approximately 85 students and faculty attended the event held at the University's Student Union meeting facility. Additional outreach events are being planned and the District will provide updates. The 2013 San Gabriel Valley Water Forum is scheduled for October 3, 2013 at Sheraton Fairplex Conference Center. Confirmed keynote speakers include Erin Brockovich, Consumer Advocate, and Felicia Marcus, Chairperson, State Water Resources Control Board.
San Gabriel Valley Water Agencies Work Together
On the heels of the successful San Gabriel Valley Water Forum, leading water agencies in the San Gabriel Valley continued to work and plan together to address the issues of water reliability and water quality in our Watershed. On Tuesday, March 18, a joint board meeting (open to the public) was held involving San Gabriel Valley Municipal Water District, Upper San Gabriel Valley Municipal Water District, Three Valleys Municipal Water District, San Gabriel Basin Water Quality Authority and Main San Gabriel Basin Watermaster. All of these agencies are "Founding Partners" of the annual San Gabriel Valley Water Forum, scheduled for October 3, 2013 at Sheraton Fairplex Conference Center in Pomona.
The purpose of the meeting was for each agency to present an overview of its operations and plans, as well as for newly elected or appointed board members within each agency to meet and receive an orientation. Representing SGVMWD were Board Directors John Leung, Thomas Wong and Tom Love, and General Manager, Darin Kasamoto.
The proposal calls for habitat restoration and two tunnels to divert water from the Sacramento River under the Sacramento-San Joaquin Delta to southbound pumps.
Surveyors in the Sierra find only half the snowpack that is normal for the date. But it could have been worse, considering the last three months have been the driest January-March period on record.
One thing stood out in the pile of documents released Thursday detailing state plans to replumb California's water hub: Construction could start on the massive project before water managers know whether it will work as intended.
February 28, 2013
Los Angeles Daily News
By Tracie Cone and Rich Pedroncelli, Associated Press Writers
High-altitude dust blown thousands of miles across the Pacific from Asian and African deserts can make it rain and snow in the Sierra Nevada, according to new research that suggests tiny particles from afar play a role in California's water supply.
High-altitude dust blown thousands of miles across the Pacific from Asian and African deserts can make it rain and snow in the Sierra Nevada, according to new research that suggests tiny particles from afar play a role in California's water supply.
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