Hydropower Generation in the West to Recover Despite Snow Drought
Hydropower generation in the Northwest and Rockies is projected to reach 125 billion kilowatt-hours (BkWh) in 2026, marking a 17% increase from 2025, though still 4% below the 10-year average. This forecast, informed by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administrationâs Northwest River Forecast Center, follows a period of unusually high generation in late 2025 due to atmospheric rivers causing significant flooding. In California, hydropower is expected to generate 28.5 BkWh, which is 6% less than the previous year but 15% above the 10-year average. Despite above-average reservoir levels, snowpack conditions are significantly below normal, with the Northern Sierra Nevada at just 7% of average as of April 1, 2026. Warmer-than-normal temperatures in March have also led to early snowmelt across the western United States. 
