RENO - Things could change for the better, but right now federal water officials say things are grim when it comes to the winter snowpack on the Nevada side of the Sierra.

The latest snow survey shows average water content at 53 percent of average compared to 89 percent this sametime last year. Area water shed basins, including the Truckee River, Lake Tahoe, Carson and Walker River Basins ranging from 59 to 67 percent when it comes to water content. While there are on-site snowpack monitors that feeds daily snow pack data, a team of water officials take monthly trips to certain mountain locations to measure conditions first hand.

Dan Greenlee with the Natural Resource Conservation District has conducted the snow survey for the past 17 years. This year, he says, will need a lot of help with some major storms with just two solid winter months ahead.

"We're really looking at the likelihood off having a third dry year in a row,'' Greenlee said.

He added that farmers east of Reno in the Fernley and Fallon areas are facing the prospect of drastic cuts to their summer irrigation deliveries unless things change soon.