Water levels at California reservoirs have increased significantly since the beginning of the year, jumping from 70% of normal to 82% in just a few weeks. This increase is attributed to recent rainfall and anticipated runoff, with experts highlighting the importance of the snowpack in the coming months. The situation is being closely monitored, with the April snowpack survey seen as a crucial indicator of the water year's success.
The Santa Clara Valley Water District says after the dry start to the year, water levels at their reservoirs went from 70% of normal in mid-January to 82% by mid-February.Santa Clara Valley Water District spokesperson Matt Keller said after the dry start to the year, water levels at their reservoirs went from 70% of normal in mid-January to 82% now.
"So it's obvious on the upward swing, and then with this rain and then all the runoff that's going to be coming in the next few days I expect that number to go up," Keller said.Critics say splitting California's dams and aqueducts into dueling government agencies could be dangerous, and potentially deadly.
At California's two largest reservoirs, Shasta Lake and Lake Oroville, the Bureau of Reclamation has increased the amount of water flowing out to make room for more water coming in."Shasta and Oroville, they're full and they're way above normal for this time of the year," Keller said. Keller said this is important because half of Santa Clara County's water supply comes from that system as well as San Francisco's Hetch Hetchy system.The snowpack is an essential part of our water supply."The last snowpack survey that they do in April really is the tell-tale sign of how we're going to do for our water year," Keller said. "So we'll wait for that before we decide on whether or not we had a good season.
CALIFORNIA WATER RESERVOIRS RAINFALL SNOWPACK WATER SUPPLY
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