Water drinkers beware: the Sierra snow pack is less than usual. Skiers and snowboarders breathe easy. There is still plenty of snow for all your extreme sport needs.
State officials reported on Thursday that a smaller Sierra Nevada snow pack than normal means that state needs to conserve water.
The state Department of Water Resources said the snow pack is about 61 percent of its usual depth across the 400-mile-long mountain range. It released the findings Thursday as part of the second snow survey of the season.
Department director Lester Snow says the results indicate California is heading for a third dry year. He says Californians must immediately begin conserving water at home and at work.
But amidst the bad news was some good news for weekend go getter. Snow was expected to fall in the Sierra above 7,000 feet on Thursday, but more of the powder was suppose to cover lower elevations over the weekend.
Levels were 49 percent of normal in the northern Sierra and about 63 percent of normal in the central region and 68 percent of normal in the southern region.
