Sierra snow pack is four times the size it was at this time last year

A snowplow clears Highway 89 around Emerald Bay in Lake Tahoe. The road reopened on Jan. 22, 2019, after a big snow dump. A snowplow clears Highway 89 around Emerald Bay in Lake Tahoe. The road reopened on Jan. 22, 2019, after a big snow dump. Photo: Caltrans Photo: Caltrans Image 1 of / 49 Caption Close Sierra snow pack is four times the size it was at this time last year 1 / 49 Back to Gallery

A barrage of storms at the start of January dumped impressive amounts of snow over the Sierra Nevada mountain range, pushing the statewide snow pack to 115 percent of average as of Tuesday, according to data from the California Department of Water Resources.

Both the Northern Sierra and the Central Sierra, stretching from the Trinity Alps to Yosemite National Park, stand at 115 percent of average. The southern region, which includes Kings Canyon and Sequoia National Parks, is at 110 percent.

At the same time last year, the statewide snowpack was 26-percent of normal.

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The Sierra snowpack is one of California's most important water sources, with its spring and summer runoff feeding rivers and reservoirs, watering crops, filling bathtubs and water glasses. Mountain snowpack provides about 30 percent of the yearly fresh water supply for California, according to NASA.

State water managers and farmers are dependent upon knowing the amount of water the snowpack holds. Their plans for the year ahead are based on the results of a snowpack survey conducted around April 1, when snow levels peak.

On Jan. 1, the snowpack was at 70 percent of average, and it got a significant boost when a moisture-rich storm known as an atmospheric river moved across California and dumped more than four feet of snow on the highest mountain tops.

The stormy conditions led to road closures and chain control, crippling mountain travel. This week, the region is seeing a dry spell that is expected to last through the month, allowing crews to clear roadways. Crews are reopening some of the smaller highways that have been closed due to snow. Caltrans announced Highway 89 around Emerald Bay reopened on Jan. 22.

Ski resorts have benefitted from the snow dump. The season total is 275 percent more than what the resort had this time last year. Mammoth has recorded 12 feet since Jan. 1.