Frank Gehrke of the state Department of Water Resources was once again supplying some very positive news Monday regarding this year’s Lake Tahoe snow survey
and what it means to previously draught-stricken California.
Gehrke’s final snow survey of the season took place Monday morning at Phillips Station, a large field located near Echo Summitt off Highway 50, heading into South Lake Tahoe.
The final numbers from Gehrke were 49.5 inches of snow, which equates to 27.8 inches of water. That amounts to 190 percent of average on May 1. Gehrke said the statewide snowpack average is 42.5 inches or 196 percent of average.
Considering the snow totals at Lake Tahoe ski resorts this season, that high total comes as no surprise. By mid-March, there were eight Lake Tahoe ski resorts that had received 600 or more inches this season.
Historically, the average annual snowfall at upper elevations in the Lake Tahoe-Truckee region is 450 inches. Five Lake Tahoe ski resorts (Sugar Bowl, Northstar, Mt. Rose, Squaw Valley Alpine Meadows, Boreal Mountain) have received 700 or more inches for the 2016-17 season.
The only U.S. ski resort this season with more snow than Sugar Bowl (782 inches) was Mt. Baker in Washington state, which had 808 inches. However, unlike Sugar Bowl, Mt. Baker closed several weeks ago.
“This season has been tremendous from start to finish. The storms kept skiers and riders energized all year, which translated into steady visitation throughout, including in the spring when interest in skiing and riding tends to wane,” Sugar Bowl spokesperson Jon Slaughter said.
Sugar Bowl, Mt. Rose and Squaw Valley Alpine Meadows are still open.
A familiar face, Gehrke was dressed in short sleeves on a sun-drenched Monday as he conducted the survey. A portion of the meadow he was evaluating was already under water.
With the weather warming into the 60s today and getting into the low 70s by Wednesday, Gehrke expects the snow to melt fast in the coming weeks.
“Not unexpected. It’s May 1, and the sun is high in the sky,” Gehrke said.
Closing dates for Lake Tahoe resorts.
- Homewood: April 16
- Kirkwood Mountain: April 16
- Tahoe Donner: April 16
- Donner Ski Ranch: April 17
- Granlibakken: April 17
- Sierra-at-Tahoe: April 23
- Diamond Peak: April 23
- Northstar: April 23
- Boreal Mountain: April 23
- Soda Springs: April 23
- Heavenly Mountain: April 30
- Sugar Bowl: May 7
- Rose: May 29
- Squaw Valley Alpine Meadows: July 4
