So far in Northern California, 2024 has been in weather’s Goldilocks Zone—not too wet, not too dry, but just right.

According to the National Weather Service, the Sierra snowpack is now 100% of average and our “water year” (which started Oct. 1 and measures our annual rain total) is tracking ahead of normal. We still need conservation, but the local water picture is very favorable.

“2024 is actually looking really good,” says Sean Bigley, Roseville’s Assistant Environmental Utilities Director. “In the latest round of storms (in early March), we received quite a lot of precipitation from rain in the Valley, but also a lot of Sierra snow. It bumped us into a ‘normal’ year.”

After three years of drought then a deluge last winter, “normal” feels extraordinary.

“I’ll take a year like this any time,” Bigley notes. “It’s manageable—an ideal spot to be. We’re filling up reservoirs appropriately while restoring flow in our rivers. We’re not dealing with flood control and emergencies. It’s a good balance.”

Fingers crossed, our weather and water outlook will stay that way. Bigley says that final water allocations aren’t made until April, as the precipitation season winds down.

“The (California) Department of Water Resources and the U.S. Bureau of Reclamation focuses on April for its forecast of conditions for the remainder of the year,” Bigley explains. “The next six to eight weeks will tell us how it will go.”

Rain or no rain, Roseville already is in great shape water-wise, thanks to an abundant 2023. It’s like having water in the bank for not-so-rainy days ahead.

“We’re still receiving benefits of the 2023 water year,” Bigley says. “Our major reservoirs are at or above historical averages. The reservoir that we’re most reliant on in the Sacramento region—Folsom—is definitely above its historical average. Hopefully, we’ll continue that trend.

“At the same time, the Bureau of Reclamation is maximizing reservoir storage while also managing the cold water in the reservoir for the health of the Lower American River.”

Part of that storage is under our feet as Roseville recharged its groundwater reserves.

“We are very fortunate to work with the (Federal) Bureau of Reclamation to maximize groundwater recharge,” Bigley says. “2023 was really, really good.”

Roseville added 1,900 acre feet to the groundwater basin; that’s enough to supply 6,000 households for an entire year.

That’s water that likely otherwise would have gone out to sea.

“Our recharge activity depends on the availability of surface water during flood control operations,” Bigley explains. “In May and June, when the snow melts and starts to come down, it has a tendency to fill Folsom Reservoir really quickly.”

Too much rain or snow melt, water is released from the reservoir to prevent flooding. That’s also an opportunity for Roseville to reap that excess water and recharge wells. “We’re always ready to go,” adds Bigley.

A “normal” 2024 water year is good news for residents and businesses considering landscape makeovers. No watering restrictions are currently in effect in Roseville, although no wasteful practices are allowed.

“It’s a good year to plant a new water-wise landscape,” Bigley says. “It’s really a prime time to do that. There’s no shock (to roots) of planting something during a drought or dry period.”

Plants can get enough water to put down strong roots and become established as soon as possible. That helps them cope with droughts to come.

Another reason to re-landscape now: Roseville continues to offer its residents and businesses rebates for water-efficient irrigation upgrades and landscape makeovers. Find more information here: roseville.ca.us/rebates

“Our water-efficiency program works the same (as in past years),” Bigley notes. “It’s very robust and a constant. We still have a lot of really good rebates, our ‘Cash for Grass’ program and water-wise house calls.”

Like the weather, 2024’s water picture can change. But right now, the outlook appears average—and that’s very positive.

Says Bigley, “Things are trending to be a normal year and that’s a good sign.”