Recent Storms Put Dent in Sierra Drought Levels

RENO, Nev. (775 Times, NV Globe) – The Sierra has been under a three-year drought, but recent storms may have brought an end to it.

“We’re not out yet, but we’ve had very significant improvements in our area,” said Tim Bardsley, a hydrologist for the National Weather Service in Reno.

He claims that the recent strong storms, which have strengthened our snowpack, are to blame for these gains.

“We have an above normal snowpack and saying that in mid-January is pretty incredible,” he said.

Reno has already accumulated a little bit more water than typical for the year, at around 7.8 inches.

A graphic made by the U.S. Department of Agriculture illustrates how much more water is present in the Sierra Nevada than in previous years.

“Our stream flows have picked up, our reservoirs have gained storage but we’re still generally below normal in terms of reservoir storage.

Bardsley claims that although it will take more than a few snowstorms, we are on schedule to end the drought.

“If we continue with some significant storms this winter, we could get out of drought.”

It’s still too early to predict how the Sierra will perform later in the year, even with a dry spell to end the month of January. All we can do is wait and see.

Credits: KOLO TV