West snowpack plunges
The region's snowpack is now “much below normal,” NOAA reported — a deepening snow drought that officials say threatens spring and summer water for farms and households. That shortfall signals likely pressure on California-grown, water‑intensive produce and could push shoppers toward lower‑water seasonal staples and pantry backups this spring.
[NOAA/NIDIS reported]drought.gov that the West’s snow drought “worsened from February into early March” as record warmth melted what little snowpack had accumulated despite near‑normal precipitation. The California Department of Water [Resources recorded]water.ca.gov a Phillips Station manual survey on Feb. 27, 2026 showing 28 inches of snow depth and 11 inches of snow‑water equivalent — about 47% of the site’s average — while statewide snowpack was reported at roughly 66% of normal for the date. kcra.com [Drought.gov noted]drought.gov that “every major river basin and state in the West is experiencing a snow drought,” and NOAA’s Climate Prediction Center outlook favors warmer‑than‑normal temperatures through March, increasing the chance of earlier melt and reduced spring runoff. [NPR reported]kawc.org that Central Valley growers are already facing limits on groundwater pumping under state rules, with some operations being ordered to cut well extraction as regulatory restrictions take effect. The Public Policy Institute of [California estimated]ppic.org that agriculture uses about 40% of the state’s water, and [CalMatters identified]calmatters.org high‑value, water‑intensive crops such as almonds, grapes, strawberries and lettuce as most exposed to supply shortfalls. Wholesale market [reports showed]andnowuknow.com tightening iceberg‑lettuce supplies and upward price pressure this season, while University of California extension [studies document]agalert.com that drip irrigation and soil moisture sensors can materially reduce water use for lettuce without cutting yields. Fremont’s potable supply is delivered by the Alameda County Water District, [which sources]acwd.org water from the State Water Project, the Hetch Hetchy system and local groundwater and Del Valle Reservoir, and [ACWD offers]acwd.org rebates and conservation programs to help residents stretch supplies during dry years.
