Climate Change, Sierra Nevada’s Snowmelt, and the Drought

The Role of Snow in the Sierra Nevada’s Water Supply

In alpine regions like the Sierra Nevada Mountains, snow cover plays a crucial role in maintaining the water supply. These mountainous areas serve as natural reservoirs, providing water for entire watersheds. As snow melts, it follows three possible paths: drifting off the soil’s surface, evaporating, or replenishing groundwater. Groundwater recharge is essential for restoring underground water levels to a healthy balance, ensuring a sustainable water supply.

The Impact of Declining Snowfall

A decrease in snowfall in the Sierra Nevadas has had significant consequences for humans, wildlife, and the environment. “The lower than historically normal snowfall in recent years is one environmental factor that has contributed to the current drought in California,” explains Ryan Webb, a Ph.D. student in the Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering at Colorado State University.

Webb and a team of researchers have studied how changes in snow accumulation affect soil moisture levels in alpine regions. Their published study specifically examines the impact of shifting climate conditions on groundwater recharge in California’s Sierra Nevada. With warming temperatures, these soils no longer freeze during winter and instead remain wet beneath the snowpack, altering the natural hydrological cycle.

Understanding Climate Change’s Impact on Groundwater

Webb’s research provides valuable insight into how climate change influences groundwater supplies—a critical resource for drought-prone regions. By better understanding these patterns, scientists and policymakers can develop strategies to protect and manage water resources more effectively.

Source:

Science Daily, Melting Snow and Groundwater Levels in Sierra Nevadas, August 20, 2015. Read More