(Grass Valley, Feb. 3, 2026) – Nevada Irrigation District’s (NID) first snow survey of the year found the mountain snowpack well below average, even as District reservoirs remain near full following strong early-season storms.

Surveyors measured only 47 percent of the historical snowpack across NID’s five snow courses. The average snow water content was 9.5 inches. By comparison, the historical average water content is 20.2 inches.

Despite the low snowpack, reservoir storage remains well above average, largely due to heavy precipitation in December.

“December provided a strong boost to our water supply as we headed into 2026. However, we have seen very dry conditions since Jan. 5,” said NID Water Resources Superintendent Thor Larsen. “Although the current snowpack is below average, all District reservoirs are close to full or spilling. In fact, total water storage is the third highest recorded for this time of year.”

As of Jan. 28, 2026, total NID reservoir storage stood at 244,974 acre-feet, 91 percent of capacity and 124 percent of average for the date.

January precipitation totaled just 6.76 inches as of Jan. 28, well below the historical January average of 12.2 inches.

NID conducts snow surveys at varying elevations that supply water to both raw and treated water customers. During the February survey, hydrographers documented the following conditions:

• Webber Peak (7,800 feet): 37.6 inches of snow, 13.3 inches of water content (Jan. 27)
• English Mountain (7,100 feet): 29.2 inches of snow, 11.1 inches of water content (Jan. 27)
• Webber Lake (7,000 feet): 30.6 inches of snow, 9.6 inches of water content (Jan. 27)
• Findley Peak (6,500 feet): 22.4 inches of snow, 7.6 inches of water content (Jan. 28)
• Bowman Reservoir (5,650 feet): 19 inches of snow, 6 inches of water content (Jan. 28)
• Chalk Bluff (4,850 feet, Deer Creek watershed): No snow present as of Jan. 28 (not included in the District average)

Snow water equivalent measures how much water is stored in the snowpack and is a key tool for water managers planning seasonal water supplies.

“Overall water storage is well above average for this time of year,” Larsen said. “Snowpack remains important because it acts as a natural reservoir that releases water during the spring months. As downstream demands increase, this runoff allows reservoirs to stay full longer, creating improved carryover storage heading into the following year. NID will continue to monitor conditions and plan accordingly.”

NID is a member of the California Cooperative Snow Survey, and results from its snow courses are used to help predict water availability both locally and statewide.

To track NID river and reservoir data, click here.