Snowpack in the mountains -- if my enviro science class knowledge serves me well -- is good because it means that reservoirs are replenished over the summer as snow in the lower altitudes of the mountains melts off and flows down river.

No snowpack means the reservoirs aren't continuously fed and thus any fullness will likely only last us this summer at best.

I'm sure I'm incorrect somewhere, so if any environerds wanna chime in, be my guest.