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SRP Measures Snowpack After Winter Storms to Gauge Arizona's Water Supply
Snowpack measurements help identify how much water will flow into the Valley's reservoirs and if water conservation is needed.
Published on Feb. 24, 2026
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After recent winter storms left much of Arizona's high country blanketed in snow, the Salt River Project (SRP) is conducting snowpack measurements to assess the state's water supply. By analyzing the snowpack, SRP can determine how much water will flow into the Valley's reservoirs and whether water conservation measures need to be implemented.
Why it matters
Monitoring the snowpack is crucial for managing Arizona's water resources, especially in the face of recent below-average winter seasons. The data collected helps SRP prepare for the year ahead and ensure adequate water supply for the 2.5 million people it serves in the Valley.
The details
SRP field hydrologist Zachary Keller conducted snowpack measurements, finding the current snowpack is at a 'medium' level, which is considered good given the lack of snow this year. The snow that has fallen will eventually make its way down to the Valley's reservoirs via Dry Beaver Creek and the Verde River. While the past two winters have been below average, recent fall rains have helped hydrate the soil, allowing more of the current snowmelt to reach the reservoirs.
- Last week's winter storms left much of Arizona's high country blanketed in snow.
- SRP is conducting snowpack measurements from the ground and air to assess the water supply.
The players
Zachary Keller
A SRP field hydrologist who is conducting snowpack measurements to gauge Arizona's water supply.
Salt River Project (SRP)
A public power and water utility that provides electricity and water to the Phoenix metropolitan area, serving 2.5 million people.
What they’re saying
“We're sitting about medium which is actually really good when you think about how little snow we've had this year, and it also gives strength to the resiliency of our watershed.”
— Zachary Keller, SRP Field Hydrologist (azfamily.com)
“Water that falls here will eventually make its way down to Dry Beaver Creek and then down to the Verse River and then into our reservoir system for 2.5 million people to use.”
— Zachary Keller, SRP Field Hydrologist (azfamily.com)
“These storms we're seeing today are going to have a good chance of running off and getting to our reservoirs and not being stored up here in the watershed or taken up in other ways.”
— Zachary Keller, SRP Field Hydrologist (azfamily.com)
“My message to the Valley is that our watershed is very resilient and we might live in the desert. But we are actually quite a bit productive watershed and have a very good handle on it.”
— Zachary Keller, SRP Field Hydrologist (azfamily.com)
What’s next
SRP will continue to monitor the snowpack and reservoir levels in the coming months to determine if water conservation measures need to be implemented.
The takeaway
Measuring the snowpack is a critical step in managing Arizona's water resources, especially in the face of recent drought conditions. The data collected by SRP helps ensure adequate water supply for the 2.5 million people it serves in the Phoenix metropolitan area.
