Snow levels in Mt. Shasta, Northern California more than twice that of 2022

The latest reports confirm what anyone looking up into the mountains of the North State can see. From Mt. Shasta to Lassen Peak, snowfall this winter is way up over last year, and in some cases nearly triple 2022 levels.

Snowfall measurements taken this month in southern Siskiyou County and the Mount Shasta area show that overall snowfall for the region has received 145% of historical average, according to the Shasta-Trinity National Forest.

Snowfall measurements in the area of Lassen Volcanic National Park are also well above normal, said Jim Richardson, superintendent at the park.

"I think that's a good thing. We certainly need that for our water for our human uses. That includes the reservoirs and also for natural uses for the fire and in recovery from after the fires," he said.

As of Saturday, snow depth at Helen Lake in the park was 148 inches, or just over 12 feet, according to the California Department of Water Resources. On Feb. 11, 2022, the snow depth at Helen Lake was 96 inches.

More snow has translated into a higher-than-average number of visitors to the park this winter, Richardson said.

"We're seeing quite a bit of people coming up for skiing, snowshoeing and just playing in the snow," he said.

Snow depth in southern Siskiyou County, including the Mt. Shasta area, also was well above normal, according to measurements taken earlier this month by teams from the national forest.

The average snow depth over six locations where measurements were taken in the Mt. Shasta area was 94 inches. That compares to the average snow depth of 34.5 inches in early February 2022.

The snow depth was greatest at Gray Rocks, which on Feb. 3 was 129 inches, or 10.75 feet. Last year, snow depth at that location was 44.5 inches, less than 4 feet. The snow depth at Horse Camp, at 7,900 feet in elevation on the slopes of Mt. Shasta, had 125 inches this year, compared to 42.5 inches last year, according to national forest measurements.

Read more:Lenticular clouds, not UFOs, over California's Mt. Shasta are 'huge part of living here'

U.S. Forest Service teams measure snow depths on "courses" at various locations in February, March and April each year. Pacific Gas and Electric Company and the California Department of Water Resources also gather snow depth measurements in the Sierras and parts of the North State.

While Lake Shasta is primarily fed by rainwater, much of the snow from Lassen Peak and Mt. Shasta melts in the spring and summer to drain into the reservoir. Some of the snow measured in Siskiyou County also drains into the Trinity River and Shasta River watersheds, away from Lake Shasta, according to the forest service.

Some snow melt off Lassen Peak drains into creeks that eventually feed the Pit River, which flows into Lake Shasta. Snow from Lassen also feeds such streams as Battle, Deer and Mill creeks, which all flow into the Sacramento River below Shasta Dam, Richardson said.

Read more:How a rare plant found only near Lake Shasta finally got protection to help save it

Snow from Lassen Peak also feeds into the Feather River, which flows into Lake Oroville, Richardson said.

One benefit of the snow may not be as easily seen. Much of the soil in the Lassen area is made up of porous volcanic rock, which also enables the snowmelt to seep into the ground and replenish groundwater in the area, he said.

Higher than normal snow levels is not confined to the Lassen and Mt. Shasta areas. The department of water resources said snowfall for the northern Sierra and Trinity area is 164% of normal for Feb. 13.

Related:Drenched by higher-than-normal rain, Lake Shasta water level rises 60 feet during January

Snowfall for the central Sierra was 197% of normal for the date and 233% of normal for the southern Sierra region, the department said on its website. Statewide, snowfall depths are 196% of normal, the department said.