2026-27 Water Supply Forecast Below Average Snowpack Levels, Proactive Water Management Underway

LADWP Hydrographers Report 24% of Normal for 2026 Final Snow Survey

LOS ANGELES (April 14, 2026) - The Los Angeles Department of Water and Power (LADWP) announced the Eastern Sierra snowpack measured 24 percent of normal, providing key information to prepare for the coming runoff year and plan water deliveries to Los Angeles customers and the Eastern Sierra.

Warmer temperatures prompted snowmelt and runoff to begin earlier than usual, however, this year's below normal water supply forecast is still expected to meet close to 40 percent of the City's annual demand. That represents approximately 81 billion gallons of water, enough to supply nearly 43,000 households for an entire year.

"As climate change continues to strain water supplies across the West, water providers face the triple challenge of ensuring reliability, protecting the environment, and keeping water affordable for customers," said Allan Marks, President, Board of Water and Power Commissioners. "These pressures are interconnected and long-term, which is why we're committed to a holistic, strategic approach - including more efficient use, water recycling, and groundwater replenishment - that strengthens operational resilience, supports sustainability, and ensures our city has safe, dependable drinking water for generations to come."

As the second largest municipal water agency in the country, LADWP is responsible for reliable water management to deliver safe, clean and affordable water to the City's four million residents and businesses, while balancing environmental priorities in the Eastern Sierra.

"LADWP is committed to meeting the challenges of shifting hydrologic conditions by planning strategically and applying the technical expertise to manage the City's water supplies responsibly," said Anselmo Collins, Chief Operating Officer and Senior Assistant General Manager of the Water System. "Our distinctive water system relies on both local resources and imported supplies. With changing climate conditions and more frequent extreme natural disasters affecting water availability, thoughtful and efficient management remains central to ensure water needs are met."

In addition to the annual snow surveys, the yearly lake level measurements at Mono Lake provide key data to guide decisions on water exports in the region. The official surface elevation reading of Mono Lake was 6,382.75 feet as of April 1, 2026.

Every year, LADWP conducts snow surveys from February to April in four Eastern Sierra basins: Cottonwood Canyon, Big Pine Canyon, Rock Creek, and Mammoth Pass. Markers placed at specific locations are regularly checked for snow levels and water content, and the data collected informs runoff estimates for the Los Angeles Aqueduct. A typical runoff season lasts from May to June.

About 40 percent of Los Angeles's annual water demand is met by the Los Angeles Aqueduct, helping keep water costs lower for Angelenos. Additional water supplies come from groundwater, recycled water, and imported water purchased from the Metropolitan Water District of Southern California (MWD) which delivers water from the State Water Project (SWP) and the Colorado River. LADWP estimates that 31.9 billion gallons of stormwater have been captured since last fall, boosting local water supplies to help meet the City's annual water demands.

"Our water management practices maximize the Los Angeles Aqueduct alongside significant local water supply investments and water conservation efforts to ensure water security for all Angelenos," said Adam Perez, Director of Water Operations. "The snow survey results highlight the importance of diversifying our water supplies. Strengthening the city's resilience allows the system to continue operating reliably when climate conditions or regional constraints affect any single source. The Los Angeles Aqueduct is a foundational pillar of our water system and will remain indispensable in the years ahead."

While this year's snowpack is lower than average, through long-term water planning and adaptive management strategies LADWP aims to ensure a reliable water system despite changing weather patterns.

Rising costs and fluctuating allocation of imported, purchased water from the SWP and Colorado River has motivated LADWP to further pursue investments in local water sources. Water-saving habits and conservation efforts are a critical part of building a sustainable future, ensuring that households and businesses use water wisely by investing in water-efficient practices. Today, Angelenos use less water than 50 years ago, despite a population increase of one million people. The current water use by customers is 101 average gallons per capita per day for a 12-month rolling average. To encourage saving even more water, LADWP offers rebates for water-efficient devices and other measures for residential and commercial customers.

In addition to water conservation efforts, another key piece is Pure Water Los Angeles, a water supply and resiliency initiative. LADWP and Los Angeles Sanitation and Environment (LASAN) intend to design, build, and operate an advanced water purification system, aiming to produce up to 230 million gallons of purified recycled water per day, supporting the City's transition to a 70 percent local water supply. LADWP, in partnership with LASAN, is also constructing the largest water project in the state, the Los Angeles Groundwater Replenishment Project, which will produce up to 20 million gallons per day of purified water.

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