CALIFORNIA - I visited my sister in South Lake Tahoe, California, last weekend, and while the snow still piled high above her mailbox, the sun was shining and water began to run down the streets. It was my first sign that California’s snowpack is melting. The latest outlooks expect that the snowmelt and resulting runoff will last through much of 2023.

According to the Los Angeles Times, runoff from the record-breaking snowpack in the Sierra Nevada will be most impactful in the Tulare Lake basin and the San Joaquin River basin. Officials warn that residents of the areas may be impacted by the influx of water coming down the hill.

“Be aware of your flood risks,” said Jeremy Arrich, Manager of Flood Management with the Department of Water Resources. “Know where your house or your business sits within or around the potential for flooding. Be prepared by planning out evacuation routes and meeting locations with your family, and then take action if the emergency response or local entities send out evacuation orders or warnings.”

Mammoth Mountain, as well, has experienced record snowfall this season, receiving over 700 inches of powder. As of now, according to the news source, there is more water contained in the state’s snowpack than the capacity of Lake Mead—the nation’s largest reservoir.

As to how this anticipated flooding will impact California’s fresh produce growers, we are still unsure. However, ANUK will be sure to report when we find out.