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After 14 Atmospheric Rivers, How Full Are California’s Reservoirs?
KRON4 ^ | Mar 19, 2023 | Tori Gaines

Posted on 03/19/2023 5:55:29 PM PDT by nickcarraway

As wet weather has continued to impact California, some reservoirs across the state are being managed with scheduled releases of water to prevent flooding, according to the California Department of Water Resources (DWR).

After 14 atmospheric rivers hit back-to-back this winter, reservoirs began filling quickly. Though most of the major reservoirs aren’t full yet, several are significantly higher than they have been historically. This is especially true in Central California at the Don Pedro, Camanche and Oroville reservoirs.

Northern California

Video shared by DWR shows a large release of water from Lake Oroville down into the Feather River at a rate of 35,000 cubic feet per second. The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers is working with downstream water operators to schedule releases in an effort to manage flood control.

The water release has caused a closure of Oro Dam Boulevard between Rusty Dusty Road and Canyon Drive because the water spray across the road reduces driver visibility. Drivers can still access the Oroville Dam and the State Recreation area by using State Route 162 and Canyon Drive, according to DWR.

(Photo courtesy of Dept. of Water Resources)

Reservoir January Level March Level

Shasta 49% of capacity 73% of capacity

Trinity 29% of capacity 35% of capacity

Sonoma 57% of capacity 75% of capacity

Oroville 54% of capacity 83% of capacity

New Bullards Bar 78% of capacity 83% of capacity

Folsom 47% of capacity 64% of capacity

Central California

San Luis Reservoir more than doubled its water levels over the past two months of wet weather. Nearly all Central California reservoirs are above 80% capacity, a significant sign of progress in the drought-ridden area.

Reservoir January Level March Level

Camanche 73% of capacity 81% of capacity

New Melones 36% of capacity 54% of capacity

Don Pedro 72% of capacity 88% of capacity

McClure 50% of capacity 82% of capacity

Pine Flat 44% of capacity 78% of capacity

Millerton 82% of capacity 80% of capacity

San Luis 43% of capacity 91% of capacity

Southern California

Reservoirs across SoCal aren’t gaining water as quickly as their North and Central California counterparts, but Cachuma Reservoir is nearly at capacity. Cachuma grew quickly January when the atmospheric rivers that hit California caused the water levels to rise by 36 feet in a 24-hour period.

Reservoir January Level March Level

Cachuma 84% of capacity 96% of capacity

Casitas 37% of capacity 56% of capacity

Castaic 54% of capacity 73% of capacity

Diamond Valley 61% of capacity 60% of capacity

With more wet weather forecasted for California in the coming weeks, reservoir levels could continue to rise. The state continues to be impacted by mudslides and downed trees, but the moisture is till a welcome sign of relief for a state so heavily hit by drought.


TOPICS: Local News; Weird Stuff
KEYWORDS: donatefreerepublic
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To: Deaf Smith

They can relocate the River Smelt to some other reservoir.

The Governor of California is a comeplete "Giant Sixth Grade Brain Governor".

21 posted on 03/19/2023 8:14:47 PM PDT by TheConservativeTejano (The Business of America is Business)
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To: SamAdams76

Yeah, but some small fish will come along and they will release the water to help the damn fish get to the sea!


22 posted on 03/19/2023 8:15:34 PM PDT by Taxman (SAVE AMERICA! VOTE REPUBLICAN IN 2023 AND 2024!)
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To: 17th Miss Regt

Excellent link. Thank you. It has been raining cats and dogs in So Cal for a month, even tonight. It was unusual to have a sunny day yesterday 3/18. Millerton has a wonderful park and wow, it gets hot there in the summer.


23 posted on 03/19/2023 8:15:54 PM PDT by Falconspeed ("Keep your fears to yourself, but share your courage with others." Robert Louis Stevenson.)
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To: TigersEye

Most excellent


24 posted on 03/19/2023 8:18:47 PM PDT by Nifster ( I see puppy dogs in the clouds )
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To: Steely Tom

Bwahahahaha


25 posted on 03/19/2023 8:19:11 PM PDT by Nifster ( I see puppy dogs in the clouds )
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To: nickcarraway

Muscleman should have left his shirt on. 🏀


26 posted on 03/19/2023 8:23:06 PM PDT by GSWarrior
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To: GSWarrior

I agree. Not sure hat he was thinking. I guess he thought Brandi Chastain.


27 posted on 03/19/2023 8:25:39 PM PDT by nickcarraway
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To: buwaya

They always aggressively dump water out of Folsom because it’s so small yet so vital to flood control for Sacramento. Last week they opened the floodgates at Oroville and New Bullards Bar. They’re dumping them as fast as they safely can because the snowmelt is going to be epic.

Trinity, by memory. Is another +/- 250k acre feet. It’s intentionally kept as low as it is. It’s designed to be the emergency brake of last resort to control flooding on The Sacramento River


28 posted on 03/19/2023 9:16:23 PM PDT by j.havenfarm (22 years on Free Republic, 12/10/22! more then 6500 replies and still not shutting up!)
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To: Nifster

:)

My folks had a bunch of their albums so I heard that a lot as a kid.
Also watched a lot of Deano’s shows. It was good stuff, although I didn’t know it then.


29 posted on 03/19/2023 9:19:51 PM PDT by TigersEye (Woke is a cancer of the mind and humanity)
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To: nickcarraway
When we had storms....they were just storms

Now we have atmospheric rivers.

When will we have atmospheric oceans...

Or do we have them now?

30 posted on 03/19/2023 9:46:05 PM PDT by Osage Orange
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To: nickcarraway; GSWarrior

I guarantee you they do here.

Woo Pig Sooie


31 posted on 03/19/2023 11:19:04 PM PDT by martin_fierro (< |:)~)
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To: Deaf Smith; All

Yup. The water that’s dumped into the ocean should be bled off into s series of other new reservoirs. Common sense is lacking with Governor, Gavin Newsom... and he wants to be President? He’s as dumb as Biden.


32 posted on 03/19/2023 11:42:29 PM PDT by Cobra64 (Common sense isn’t common anymore.)
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To: TigersEye

Dean did have a good show. True that


33 posted on 03/20/2023 12:01:39 AM PDT by Nifster ( I see puppy dogs in the clouds )
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To: j.havenfarm

Yeah, I think the Sacramento is going to be tough to control. Flooding in Sacramento (city)?

I should be in SF/NorCal when it’s likely to be going on.


34 posted on 03/20/2023 12:25:49 AM PDT by buwaya (Strategic imperatives )
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To: Taxman

Yep, they’re implying snail darters from Tennessee.


35 posted on 03/20/2023 2:24:12 AM PDT by .44 Special (Taimid Buacharch)
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To: nickcarraway

So; when will California get rid of ‘water use’ restrictions?
I’m going to say Never!


36 posted on 03/20/2023 6:46:00 AM PDT by 55Ford
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To: .44 Special

LOL!

“Snail darters,” indeed!


37 posted on 03/20/2023 8:03:14 AM PDT by Taxman (SAVE AMERICA! VOTE REPUBLICAN IN 2023 AND 2024!)
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