Flooding, Lake Lag, California Water situation - Printable Version

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RE: Flooding, Lake Lag, California Water situation - martyup - 01-15-2026

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RE: Flooding, Lake Lag, California Water situation - Mick - 01-22-2026

Interesting article on enormous reservoir of freshwater trapped beneath the seabed off of the East Coast. Supposedly it is 20,000 years old. Several theories as to how it got there, it was first posited in the 1980s. Indications are very low salinity about 110 miles offshore of Long Island.

Pleistocene hydrogeology of the Atlantic continental shelf, New England | GSA Bulletin | GeoScienceWorld

They sampled sites 20-30 miles off the coast of Massachusetts, drillign down 1,300 feet where there's a seal that prevents salty water from mixing with the fresh water.

Enormous freshwater reservoir discovered off the East Coast may be 20,000 years old and big enough to supply NYC for 800 years

Makes me wonder if there are similar reservoirs off of the West Coast.

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RE: Flooding, Lake Lag, California Water situation - PalmTree - 01-22-2026

(01-22-2026, 10:10 AM)Mick Wrote:  Interesting article on enormous reservoir of freshwater trapped beneath the seabed off of the East Coast. Supposedly it is 20,000 years old. Several theories as to how it got there, it was first posited in the 1980s. Indications are very low salinity about 110 miles offshore of Long Island.

Pleistocene hydrogeology of the Atlantic continental shelf, New England | GSA Bulletin | GeoScienceWorld

They sampled sites 20-30 miles off the coast of Massachusetts, drillign down 1,300 feet where there's a seal that prevents salty water from mixing with the fresh water.

Enormous freshwater reservoir discovered off the East Coast may be 20,000 years old and big enough to supply NYC for 800 years

Makes me wonder if there are similar reservoirs off of the West Coast.

I'd venture a guess that it'd be much less likely off for similar reservoirs to have formed off the west coast. The western margin's an active subduction zone with the Pacific plate more rapidly (geologically speaking) expanding ever-eastward and under the North American plate, so there's a) a larger topographic dropoff offshore and b) less chance for the slow sedimentary environment that favors the reservoir formation in the relatively passive eastern continental shelf, as described in the article, to occur.  I can't really venture a guess as to possible availability of similar extraordinary hydrologic sources for the resevoir (i.e. Pleistocene rainfall and subglacial runoff) as described in the GSA article either.

That said, I wound up with more coursework in hard rocks (igneous, metapmorphic) than soft (sedimentary) as an undergrad, so I'll never say never....

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RE: Flooding, Lake Lag, California Water situation - M T - 01-22-2026

Yeah, that subduction zone would seem to make it highly unlikely.  The earthquakes off shore would seem likely to break up any capstone above any fresh-water reservoir.   It seems the oil industry has explored so much of the US land area, that there would be no extensive water reservoir under the land.  I'm less sure that all of Canada's land mass has been explored as fuliy (that's a reflection of my ignorance).

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RE: Flooding, Lake Lag, California Water situation - Mick - 01-25-2026

In the construction equivalent of seeing a griffin riding a unicorn, the estimated cost to repair and update San Luis Reservoir has declined by 20%, from $1.06 billion to $847 million. Caltrans found a way to reroute Hwy 152 less expensively.

It will expand San Luis by the equivalent of three Lexington Reservoirs, about 130,000 acre feet.

Price drops lowered on project to expand massive reservoir near Bay Area to increase water supplies

And federal authorities yesterday approved the proposed Sites reservoir, largest new reservoir built in 50 years, will be the eight largest in the state. 13 miles long, 1.5 million acre feet, in Colusa County. Santa Clara County, East Bay, Central Valley and Los Angeles will all benefit. $6.2 billion to $6.8 billion. Will connect to the Sacramento River for overflow. Experts note that Sites would have been filled both in 2023 and 2024 winters. 22 water agencies have committed funds (and are in line for the water) with 16 more water agencies on the waiting list:

Feds approves plan to build largest California reservoir in 50 years

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RE: Flooding, Lake Lag, California Water situation - BostonCard - 01-30-2026

Sierra snowpack not looking good at about the midway point of the snow year…

https://www.sfchronicle.com/climate/article/snow-survey-california-21320460.php

BC

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RE: Flooding, Lake Lag, California Water situation - Mick - 02-01-2026

Proposal to restore a 24,000 acre lake and wetlands on the former Tulare Lake bed (at one time 690 square miles before 19th century irrigation drained it).

Proposal to restore lake gains traction after sudden reappearance of giant body of water: 'This is a lake returning'

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RE: Flooding, Lake Lag, California Water situation - Mick - 02-15-2026

My knee tells me that storms are a'comin'. This article says three separate storms are on their way for a very wet week:

Storm train targets California with flooding rain and pass closures

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RE: Flooding, Lake Lag, California Water situation - BostonCard - 02-15-2026

Up to 8 feet of snow...

https://www.nytimes.com/2026/02/15/weather/sierra-nevada-storm-snow-california.html?smtyp=cur&smid=bsky-nytimes

We need it!  Pre-storm the Sierra snowpack was at 53% of normal for the date, 38% of the whole season average.  Interestingly the Southern Sierra is doing better than the North, which is not typical for a La Niña year.

BC

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RE: Flooding, Lake Lag, California Water situation - Mick - 02-17-2026

(01-15-2026, 09:08 AM)Mick Wrote:  

(07-25-2025, 01:12 PM)Mick Wrote:  Not a water issue per se, but as a result of three successive wet winters, Highway 1 south at Regents Slide (27 miles north of the Monterey County/San Luis Obispo County border) not only remains closed (it has been closed since 2023) but it will be two months before CalTrans will even hazard a guess as to when they can give an estimate to the full opening of southbound Highway 1. There had been earlier road closures at Paul's Slide and Dolan Point (20 miles north of SLO county line), so the PCH hasn't been open for quite a while.

Two of the great joys of my life were driving south on the PCH all the way from San Francisco to San Diego, once with each of my sons. Haven't been able to do it in years. My guess is no one will be able to do it for a few more years.

Here's the photo of the Regent slide not long after it occurred:



When will Hwy. 1 reopen in Big Sur? See latest update | San Luis Obispo Tribune

Highway 1 is officially open early! Gov. Newsom announced that CalTrans opened highway 1 at noon yesterday, January 14. You can once again drive from Big Sur to Cambria. In-depth story at link below:

Governor Newsom announces early reopening of Highway 1 through Big Sur | Governor of California

New before and after photo:

And justlikethat, it's closed again...dangit. San Luis Obispo to Big Sur

Caltrans closes portion of Highway 1 after rockslides

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RE: Flooding, Lake Lag, California Water situation - martyup - 02-18-2026

(01-15-2026, 09:48 PM)martyup Wrote:  

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RE: Flooding, Lake Lag, California Water situation - Mick - 02-19-2026

Tahoe storm dumped five feet of snow in three days. So much for the light snowfall and drought...

Deadly Tahoe storm drops over 5 feet of snow in 3-day stretch

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RE: Flooding, Lake Lag, California Water situation - Maple Leaf - 02-19-2026

China Peak Ski Resort, east of Fresno on the way to Huntington Lake has accumulated between 6 to 9 feet of snow in the last 2+ days. Elevation ranges from 7000 to 8700 feet.  This area is part of the  San Joaquin River drainage.

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RE: Flooding, Lake Lag, California Water situation - martyup - 02-19-2026

(02-19-2026, 01:27 PM)Maple Leaf Wrote:  China Peak Ski Resort, east of Fresno on the way to Huntington Lake has accumulated between 6 to 9 feet of snow in the last 2+ days. Elevation ranges from 7000 to 8700 feet.  This area is part of the  San Joaquin River drainage.

That's where I learned to ski.  I think it's called Sierra Summit now.  I had to drive from Solvang to get there, braving the tule fog.

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Deadly storm for those who chose to push their luck.

https://apnews.com/article/california-avalanche-backcountry-skiers-rescue-missing-f7b4a89c38af634e39a152a874db17f0?utm_placement=newsletter&user_id=67bf613371e0c752ca078d0c

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RE: Flooding, Lake Lag, California Water situation - Maple Leaf - 02-19-2026

New owners change the name back to China Peak

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RE: Flooding, Lake Lag, California Water situation - BostonCard - 02-19-2026

(02-19-2026, 12:42 PM)Mick Wrote:  Tahoe storm dumped five feet of snow in three days. So much for the light snowfall and drought...

Deadly Tahoe storm drops over 5 feet of snow in 3-day stretch

The storm has gone a long ways to helping the snowpack, especially in the southern Sierra, but it is still a lower than average year so far.  When I posted last (pre-storm), the snowpack was at 53% of normal for the date, 38% of the whole season average. It is now 72% of normal for the date, 56% of the whole season average, so the storm basically dumped 18% of what we typically get in a season over the span of less than a week.  That’s a lot, but is not by itself going to get things back to normal, and if the rest of the season is dry, it will be a disappointing season.

Good news is that I think some more snow is expected next week.  Not nearly as much as this last storm, but every little bit helps.

BC

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RE: Flooding, Lake Lag, California Water situation - 82lsju - 02-19-2026

(02-19-2026, 03:11 PM)martyup Wrote:  

(02-19-2026, 01:27 PM)Maple Leaf Wrote:  China Peak Ski Resort, east of Fresno on the way to Huntington Lake has accumulated between 6 to 9 feet of snow in the last 2+ days. Elevation ranges from 7000 to 8700 feet.  This area is part of the  San Joaquin River drainage.

That's where I learned to ski.  I think it's called Sierra Summit now.  I had to drive from Solvang to get there, braving the tule fog.

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Deadly storm for those who chose to push their luck.

https://apnews.com/article/california-avalanche-backcountry-skiers-rescue-missing-f7b4a89c38af634e39a152a874db17f0?utm_placement=newsletter&user_id=67bf613371e0c752ca078d0c

there are apparently at least two Stanford alums (sisters) among the deceased from the avalanche near Castle Peak, 


Caroline Sekar '03
Liz Clabaugh '95

https://www.nytimes.com/2026/02/19/us/tahoe-avalanche-victims-sisters.html

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RE: Flooding, Lake Lag, California Water situation - newguy - 02-20-2026

(02-19-2026, 08:11 PM)82lsju Wrote:  

(02-19-2026, 03:11 PM)martyup Wrote:  

(02-19-2026, 01:27 PM)Maple Leaf Wrote:  China Peak Ski Resort, east of Fresno on the way to Huntington Lake has accumulated between 6 to 9 feet of snow in the last 2+ days. Elevation ranges from 7000 to 8700 feet.  This area is part of the  San Joaquin River drainage.

That's where I learned to ski.  I think it's called Sierra Summit now.  I had to drive from Solvang to get there, braving the tule fog.

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Deadly storm for those who chose to push their luck.

https://apnews.com/article/california-avalanche-backcountry-skiers-rescue-missing-f7b4a89c38af634e39a152a874db17f0?utm_placement=newsletter&user_id=67bf613371e0c752ca078d0c

there are apparently at least two Stanford alums (sisters) among the deceased from the avalanche near Castle Peak, 


Caroline Sekar '03
Liz Clabaugh '95

https://www.nytimes.com/2026/02/19/us/tahoe-avalanche-victims-sisters.html

this is terrible.

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RE: Flooding, Lake Lag, California Water situation - Mick - 03-04-2026

As of Monday, March 2, the Sierra Nevada had received an average of 238 inches of snow so far this season, according to the latest data from the UC Berkeley Central Sierra Snow Laboratory, a research field station at Donner Pass. During its most recent survey on Friday, Feb. 27, the state Water Resources Department measured 28 inches of snow depth at Phillips Station in Northern California. The statewide snowpack contained about 62% of its typical water supply for this time of year, which is roughly 55% of the full seasonal average, according to the latest state data.

According to the California Department of Water Resources, California’s reservoirs were holding about 30 million acre-feet of water as of Monday, March 2, 122% of normal for this time. These were current water levels in major California lakes and reservoirs as of Monday:

Shasta Lake - 85% of capacity
Lake Oroville - 86%
New Bullards Bar Reservoir - 84%
Folsom Lake - 68%
Camanche Reservoir - 71%
New Melones Lake - 77%
Don Pedro Lake - 85%
Lake McClure - 69%
Pine Flat Lake - 61%
Millerton Lake - 71%
Castaic Lake - 81%
Diamond Valley Lake - 94%
Lake Casitas - 100%
Lake Cachuma - 102%
San Luis Reservoir- 85%
Lake Sonoma - 72%
Trinity Lake - 88%

February Storms Provide a Much-Needed Boost but Statewide Snowpack Remains Below Average

California is drought-free after February rains. How are snowpack, lake levels?

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RE: Flooding, Lake Lag, California Water situation - BostonCard - 03-04-2026

Weather is expected to be dry for most of the rest of the month, with maybe one last storm at the end of the month, so what we’ve gotten in the sierras is probably close to the season total.

BC

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