Troutline

California Snowpack & River Runoff

Snow-water equivalent by basin and the seasonal runoff outlook for California's rivers, translated into what it means for fishing — early or late runoff, high or low summer flows, and which waters hold up best. Updated daily through the snow season.

California (statewide)
14%
of normal for the date
12 California rivers tracked
RiverRegionBasin snowpackSWE now / normalMedian melt-outRunoff forecast
Yuba RiverSierra Foothills0%of April 1 average0.2" / 36.0"
Feather RiverSierra Foothills1%of April 1 average0.5" / 35.7"
Trinity RiverNorthern California2%of April 1 average0.5" / 30.0"
Upper Sacramento RiverNorthern California3%of April 1 average1.0" / 32.8"
Pit RiverNorthern California4%of April 1 average0.9" / 22.4"
Hot CreekEastern Sierra13%of April 1 average2.6" / 20.1"
Owens RiverEastern Sierra13%of April 1 average2.6" / 20.1"
Upper Kern RiverSouthern Sierra13%of April 1 average2.2" / 17.0"
Lower Kern RiverSouthern Sierra15%of April 1 average2.4" / 15.5"
Truckee RiverEastern Sierra25%of median for the date3.5" / 14.0"~Jun 260%May–Jul · 83k acre-ft
West Walker RiverEastern Sierra58%of median for the date10.3" / 17.8"~Jun 3058%May–Jul · 71k acre-ft
East Walker RiverEastern Sierra54%May–Jul · 21k acre-ft
Runoff forecasts are the projected seasonal streamflow volume versus the long-term average, issued monthly January–June by the NRCS water-supply forecast program. Only rivers with an NRCS forecast point show one.

Snowpack percentages compare today's snow-water content to the basin's historical normal — the median for this calendar date (NRCS SNOTEL stations) or the April 1 average (CDEC snow sensors); the California figure is statewide, not specific to any one basin. Snowpack from NRCS SNOTEL and the California Data Exchange Center; runoff forecasts from the NRCS water-supply forecast program. Snowpack varies with elevation and aspect — treat basin figures as a guide. Updated May 12, 2026.