USA: California growers enjoy groundwater recharge but wary of storms at bloom

California growers are understandably thankful for all the storms the state has received this winter, but as spring approaches, they’d just as soon see Mother Nature calm down. The Golden State depends on the snowpack for 1/3 of its supply. As it melts in the spring, it fills the state’s reservoirs, where managers have already let some water out because of fears of spillage this spring. It’s been a long time since that happened. The snowpack itself is something to behold, experts believe it will set a record this year. There are nearly 55 feet of snow on Donner Summit, third highest in recorded history. But the atmospheric rivers that start way off near Hawaii are still coming, and that has growers concerned. The late storms hit during almond bloom, meaning a smaller crop this year. But prune and other stone fruit growers will soon be looking to the skies anxiously. Bloom is expected in the next few weeks, and prune blossoms are not nearly as resistant to wind and rain and almond ...