How do snowpack levels affect California's water supply?

Snowpack levels are vital to California's water supply because they serve as a natural reservoir. When snow accumulates in the Sierra Nevada mountains during the winter months, it stores significant amounts of water in the form of snow. As temperatures rise in the spring and summer, this snowpack melts, releasing water that flows into rivers and reservoirs. This meltwater becomes a critical source of fresh water for agricultural, residential, and industrial use throughout the state.

The melt from snowpack not only replenishes reservoirs that were depleted during drier months but also helps to manage seasonal water flows, ensuring that water is available during the warmer months when demand is typically higher. Particularly in California, with its Mediterranean climate, snowpack plays a key role in mitigating the impacts of drought, making it essential for the state's overall water management strategy.

Other options don't accurately reflect the relationship between snowpack and water supply, as snowpack is fundamental to replenishing water resources rather than being irrelevant or detrimental.