Currentlly light rain in South Lake Tahoe. There is a winter storm warning in effect from 10am – 4am Wednesday morning in the Lake Tahoe Basin. The winter storm warning is extended till 10am for Bear Valley and Mammoth.

Today’s Forecast:
Windy with rain and snow. Isolated thunderstorms in the afternoon. Snow level 6500 to 7000 feet. Snow accumulation 2 to 4 inches…with 6 to 12 inches above 7000 feet. Highs 39 to 49. South winds 15 to 30 mph with gusts up to 40 mph. Ridge gusts up to 100 mph.

Tuesday
Windy with snow. Snow accumulation of 6 to 12 inches… with 12 to 20 inches above 7000 feet. Highs 25 to 35. Southwest winds 20 to 30 mph with gusts up to 60 mph.

Wednesday
Snow showers. Highs 25 to 35. South winds 10 to 15 mph. Ridge gusts up to 60 mph.

Thursday – Friday
Brisk. Cloudy with a chance of snow showers. Highs 26 to 36. Lows 5 to 15.

SACRAMENTO — Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger declared a state of emergency Friday because of three years of below-average rain and snowfall in California, a step that urges urban water agencies to reduce water use by 20%.

Looking back at water info dating back to 2006…

• 2006 was an above average year and saying it that is understatement. 2006 was huge which and left California with full reservoirs going into the 2007 winter season.
• 2007 was a pretty bad winter leaving California with something like 50% or less in some areas.
• 2008 wasn’t all that bad…  with 80% – 95%.
• 2009… some are estimating that California might end up with an 80% year.

Yes the state is in shortage of water. Californians should have stopped watering their lawns a couple of years ago. But they didn’t and now the state is in a water crisis.

Just because there is a drought doesn’t mean there isn’t good rafting. Water still has to flow through the canyons to generate power and to supply drinking water and irrigation. With below average reserviors the water still flows but tightly controlled. Unfortunately when the Govonor cries drought the state goes into a panic and automatically assumes that rafting won’t be a fun option this summer… that couldn’t be farther from the truth.

If California ends up with an 80% year, Spring runs will be shorter than normal. Dam controlled rivers like the South Fork and Middle Fork American  will most likely have water 4-5 days a week with timed releases long enough & high enough to make your way down the river and enjoy the thrill of real California whitewater.

The most important thing to remember is that its only March 1st.  In 2006 the rain/snow season extended into May. So to start assuming that the 2009 rafting is gonna suck is way out of line. There is rain & snow in the forecast through Friday March 6th. And hopefully March & April will be just as fruitful as February.

Last Piece purchased for South Fork American River Trail

The American River Conservancy has been fund raising for several years now for purchase land along the South Fork American to connect Coloma and Folsom Lake via a hiking / mtn biking trail.

This is great news that they have acquired the last piece of land and trail work to finish the final four miles is scheduled to begin in April of this year and be completed in 2010.

Snowfall Stats:

Sugar Bowl: 12-14″
Boreal: 14-20″
Alpine Meadows: 12″
Squaw Valley: 6-8″
North Star: No Update
Sierra at Tahoe: No Update
Heavenly: No Update
Kirkwood: 14-18″
Mammoth: 7″
Bear Valley: 13″
Snow Summit / Big Bear: 1-2″ natural

Have a great day and remember to keep those tips up.

Due to the ongoing re-licensing studies that have been taking place on the Middle Fork American River as well as some other factors, PG&E will continue to release 3 hours of flow on Saturdays and Sundays from 9:00 AM to 12 noon through at least October 19th. It is possible they will go one weekend beyond that to the 25th and 26th.

Stay tuned.. I’ll post the new information as I receive it. The best to stay informed is to Sign up for our RSS Feed.

Oh.. and if you looking to go rafting with a commercial outfitter.. All-Outdoors will be rafting on the American Rivers through October.