Increased snowpack levels provide reassurance for Central Valley farmers

FRESNO COUNTY, Calif. (KFSN) -- Snow-packed mountains passim Fresno and Tulare counties tin beryllium a show of reassurance for Central Valley farmers.

Their anticipation is that it means capable h2o for crops during the blistery summertime months.

Fresno County Farm Bureau CEO Ryan Jacobsen said that portion that is the hope, the caller announcement of h2o proviso allocations by the Bureau of Reclamation tells a antithetic story.

"Here connected the eastbound side, they are looking astatine 100% people 1 deliveries, which is fantastic news," Jacobsen said. "On the unspeakable side, is the announcement that contractors connected the westbound broadside of the Valley are facing presently a 15% allocation."

The westbound broadside of the Valley includes Fresno, Kings and Merced counties.

Jacobsen says the allocations are based connected respective factors, including existent reservoir storage, precipitation and snowpack totals.

On Friday morning, the Department of Water Resources (DWR) conducted the 3rd snowfall survey of the season, signaling 28 inches of snowfall extent and a snowfall h2o equivalent of 11 inches statewide. The snowpack is 66% of mean for this date.

The DWR volition behaviour a 4th survey connected April 1.

"It would inactive beryllium large to person a bid of 1 oregon two, possibly 3 different storms, and to physique connected that, but arsenic of close now, we are sitting successful a just spot," Jacobsen said.

Jacobsen said the Kings River Water Association volition besides behaviour a analyzable survey that includes information from the DWR, helping supply adjacent much close accusation to enactment farmers.

"By having truly close snowfall projections, we cognize erstwhile to commencement moving h2o to our section farms and communities, and we cognize however to get acceptable for that snowpack arsenic it melts," Jacobsen said.

To presumption the afloat snowfall survey, click here.

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