Winter snow bringing a boost to PG&E's dams.
LASSEN VOLCANIC NATIONAL PARK, Calif. -Â End of season snow surveys are underway across the northern Sierra. PG&E is gathering data to help better estimate the amount of hydropower they could see this summer. Â
Action News Now hopped on board a helicopter to an observation site where the latest snow measurements were taking place. The site sits at an elevation of 8,200 feet at the trailhead parking lot for Lassen Peak. The official number consists of 10 measurements around each location.
A preliminary number for the Lassen Peak site was 211 inches of snow, melted down to 118 inches of Snow Water Equivalent or the amount of liquid water locked inside the snowpack.
PG&E Hydrographers measure snow depth and water content at Lassen Peak
Dan Stephens a Hydrographer for PG&E says this is going to be a good year the hydro-production, agriculture, urban water use, and ground water replenishment from all of the snow. He also says this year was not a record year for the northern Sierra, but is similar to other banner years such as 2017 and 2019.
Paul Moreno, the spokesman for PG&E, said hydropower makes up about 15% of its power portfolio in a normal year. He said this year that number will go up given the large snowpack.
PG&E said hydropower is a cheap and clean energy source. This type of energy source comes in handy during hot periods of the summer when the grid may be pushed to its limits. PG&E says hydropower can be ramped up quickly and at any point of the day.
The final report on estimated hydropower production will be released in May.
