Almost all California’s significant rivers begin in the National Forests. Many of California’s National Forests were created for the specific purpose of protecting water supplies. 47% of the state’s total runoff water originates in the National Forests. California has six distinct water regions. Each has differing climate and geographic characteristics. Each of the regions also have distinct economies and populations. In California, almost all precipitation falls between December and May. At the higher elevations, most of this precipitation falls as snow. As the National Forests occupy most of the state’s higher elevation lands, much of the state’s snowpack occurs in the National Forests. The snowpack serves as a natural reservoir, releasing water between May and July. Runoff from snowpack and from mid-elevation rains are collected in reservoirs in foothill areas around the state. |
