Local residents and visitors continued to stock up on food, leaving scant amounts of products on grocery shelves, as storm conditions moved into the Eastern Sierra. While the harsh conditions create many inconveniences and even dangers, they also mean a boost for the environment and for the Los Angeles water supply.dwp_hydrographers.jpg

Before major storms moved in, DWP's website showed where this winter's snowpack sits. Measurements are changing as we speak, and an updated DWP survey will show an improvement. The latest measurements were done on January 2nd when this year's snowpack at Mammoth Pass looked pretty much like last year – 8 inches of water. That's actually a little above last January.

The long-term average for this time of year is around 20 inches of water in the form of snowpack. Snow sensors located in the high country of both Inyo and Mono show the south end of the Sierra with more water.

Cottonwood Lakes measure 73% of normal to date. Big Pine – 33%. South Lake – 51%. Rock Creek – 69%. Mammoth Pass 42$ and Gem Pass – 38%.

Precipitation measurements show Los Angeles and Independence with more than 80% of normal. Other areas remain fairly low.

The next reading by DWP should be interesting and considerably wetter than earlier readings.

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