On April 30th, the Department of Water Resources released its final snow survey results for the 2009-2010 season, reporting that the water content of the snow in California’s mountains is 143% of normal for this time of year. Some parts of the state reported even higher levels. In the northern Sierra, snow water equivalents were measured at 188% of normal for the date.

The wet weather is great news for California, but likely bad news for supporters of the unaffordable and environmentally destructive $11.14 billion water bond that will go before voters on the November ballot. After the summer sun sends the snowmelt rushing to California’s farms, businesses, and homes, the bond’s boosters will face the unenviable task of arguing that we need multi-billion-dollar boondoggles to provide water.

As an article in the Fresno Bee last week said, “(Voters) know that it has rained, and that means one less thing to worry about. Now, they are free to focus on finding work, paying off credit cards and opposing another run-up of state bond debt.”