The Upper Stanislaus watershed (HUC 18040010) covers an area of approximately 1,400 square miles in California. The watershed is a critical source of water for the Central Valley, as it contributes to the hydrology of the San Joaquin River. The area receives a significant amount of precipitation each year, mostly in the form of snow in the higher elevations. The snowpack provides a critical source of water during the drier months of the year. The watershed also includes several reservoirs, including New Melones Reservoir and Beardsley Reservoir. In recent years, the region has experienced prolonged droughts, which have impacted the snowpack and surface water availability. Climate change is expected to exacerbate these trends, leading to more extreme weather events and increased water scarcity in the region.