Volume 5 | May 2023

The Monthly Drop highlights the Los Angeles Department of Water and Power's (LADWP's) water policies, innovations and initiatives.

We're your source for L.A.'s water news.

Public Safety Is Our No. 1 Priority as Temperatures Warm Up and Record Snowpack Begins Melting in Eastern Sierra

With the record snowpack expected to bring the biggest runoff in the Eastern Sierra since 1969, public safety is LADWP's No. 1 priority. In preparation for the high runoff, LADWP crews have lowered reservoirs along the Los Angeles Aqueduct system to make room for melting snow, filled spreading grounds, replenished the Owens Valley groundwater table, supplied water to environmental projects, and added significant reinforcements along the Aqueduct and related infrastructure to mitigate the potential for flooding.

LADWP is also working with other land agencies in Inyo and Mono Counties on providing unified communications to inform the public about land closures, public safety messages, and updates on areas of potential flooding due to the pending snowmelt. The public is advised to exercise caution and follow posted safety signs when recreating near waterways in the Eastern Sierra throughout the spring and summer.

Learn more at our dedicated website, ladwpeasternsierra.com/runoff2023.To receive LADWP Eastern Sierra news and updates, subscribe at the link.

Check for updates on road and flood conditions before making travel plans. The following resources are available:

https://ready.mono.ca.gov/

https://ready.inyocounty.us/

https://ready.inyocounty.us/pages/2023-storm-response

https://pw.lacounty.gov/LACFCD/web/

LADWP Press Release on Eastern Sierra News

FAQ

Meet the Team that Forecasts

Eastern Sierra Water Supply

Civil Engineering Associate Paul Scantlin, above right, has forecasted LADWP's Eastern Sierra water supply for 21 years. Now he is mentoring his successor, Civil Engineering Associate Timothy Ushijima, above left.

"I have always liked the vagaries of hydrology forecasting. This year is a great example – three months ago, we thought we were preparing for what would be the worst dry year scenario we have ever seen, and now, it is the wettest year the Department has ever experienced. I have been doing this for 21 years, and this situation is a first for me," Scantlin says.

To better understand the full picture of the work that goes into measuring and then forecasting L.A.'s water supply, it is helpful to start from the beginning.

Read the Story

In the News

Media Spotlights LADWP's Work to Protect

Eastern Sierra Communities from Flooding

LADWP was featured in numerous media stories covering the unprecedented threat of flooding due to the record 296% of normal snowpack in the Eastern Sierra, which feeds water to the Los Angeles Aqueduct for Los Angeles.

“We’re doing as much as we can, as quickly as possible,” Paul Liu, of the Los Angeles Department of Water and Power, told the Los Angeles Times. “Our crews are working 12-hour shifts.”

Read the Story

Listen to AirTalk, LAist 89.3 FM episode on potential flooding in California, including an interview with Adam Perez, LADWP Aqueduct Manager.

Watch KTLA interview with Perez on LADWP's effort to prevent flooding.

Western States Reach Agreement to Cut Colorado River Water Use

A major milestone in regional efforts to address the decline of the Colorado River was achieved through an agreement to cut water use over the next three years. California, Arizona and Nevada agreed to reduce water use by about 14%, or 3 million acre-feet between now and the end of 2026. Read the Los Angeles Times story.

The reduction of Colorado River water is not expected to impact L.A.'s water supply. The record water year has replenished LADWP's supply from the Eastern Sierra, via the Los Angeles Aqueduct, and reduced the amount of water that LADWP will need to purchase from the Metropolitan Water District of Southern California, which is the regional water wholesaler and manages water from the Colorado River.

We want to hear from you! Please email us to learn more and provide feedback.

AboutYourWater@ladwp.com

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