[GK3]

RESSW.pdf (ca.gov)

Reservoir capacity updated for October 4 (using threepointer's scale). Listed with % of Average to date:

Large (1 MM+ AF):
Oroville, 73% / 136%
Shasta, 73% / 131%
Pine Flat, 65% / 221%
San Luis, 81% / 190%
New Melones, 79% / 142%
Trinity, 52% / 85%
Don Pedro, 84% / 123%
New Exchequer/Lake McClure, 72% / 150%
Berryessa, 77% / 107%
Almanor, 71% / 111%

Medium (300k - 999k AF, where available)
Folsom, 67% / 135% 
New Bullards, 72% / 114%
Diamond Valley, 83% / 112%
Indian Valley, 50% / 123%
Friant, 39% / 83%
Isabella, 63% / 224%
Lake San Antonio, 66% / 140%
Lake Tahoe/Tahoe City, 76% / 205%
Nacimiento, 61% / 157%
Camanche, 85% / 139%
Warm Springs, 61% / 113%
New Hogan, 60% / 156%
Castaic, 93% / 114%
Clear Lake/Cache Creek, 31% / 129%

SF Bay Reservoirs (and of local interest, where available)
Hetch Hetchy, 94% / 120%
Calaveras, 89% / 200%
Del Valle, 47% / 107%
U San Leandro, 95% / 127%
San Pablo, 56% / 95%
Chabot, 84% / 103%
Briones, 84% / 109%
Lexington Reservoir, 66% / 179%
San Antonio Reservoir, 103% / 118%
Lower Crystal Springs Reservoir, 74% / 111%

The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration announced El Nino's emergence in June, and advised that the climate pattern could signal another wet winter in Southern California, to say nothing of increased temperatures across the globe. California had 120+ trillion gallons poured on it in the water year that just ended, which is 10/1/22 - 9/30/23. We had been in severe drought conditions relating to the lack of rainfaill over the past three years. In June, the NOAA predicted a 56% chance of severe rainfall, but now it is 95%, per a story last week. Although it is indicated that more rain will fall in Southern California than Northern or Central California.

El Niño set to strengthen this winter, what does it mean for Northern California? (msn.com)

But what if we have another really, really wet year? The National Weather Service says next year could also see an above-average rainfall thanks to the EL Nino. How will that impact the state? The reservoirs are already full.  Will it contribute to the groundwater? Cause mass flooding? Simply go out to the sea?

There will be many happy fish.

---

Four dams in Southern Oregon and Northern California on the Klamath River are in the process of being dismantled.

California launches the largest dam removal project to protect salmon and tribal heritage

Ironically, Prop 1 funds are being used for this. A clause in that measure says funds can be used for “restoration.”

Those dams were pretty useless except for stopping Salmon from running further up the Klamath and its feeder streams.  They were pretty silted up and didn't serve much of a purpose as they had microscopic storage levels in the dam world. I have fished, hiked and driven along the 4WD roads that run along the Klamath from Klamath Falls to I5. I have also been along most of the feeder streams running into Klamath Lake. 
Water however, is a problem.  The area south to the California border included what were once some of the biggest wet lands around, most of have now been dried up and plowed up. Rain and snow has been limited the last few years and the water wars have started.  As things stand now there is no longer enough water to maintain the remaining wetlands, keep the rivers from becoming too warm and killing lots of fish, and irrigating the crops that now replace old wet lands. Like many other places, things are coming to a head on this issue.  Of course everyone is in a my way or the highway mode.

[GK3]

RESSW.pdf (ca.gov)

Reservoir capacity updated for October 4 (using threepointer's scale). Listed with % of Average to date:

Large (1 MM+ AF):
Oroville, 73% / 136%
Shasta, 73% / 131%
Pine Flat, 65% / 221%
San Luis, 81% / 190%
New Melones, 79% / 142%
Trinity, 52% / 85%
Don Pedro, 84% / 123%
New Exchequer/Lake McClure, 72% / 150%
Berryessa, 77% / 107%
Almanor, 71% / 111%

Medium (300k - 999k AF, where available)
Folsom, 67% / 135% 
New Bullards, 72% / 114%
Diamond Valley, 83% / 112%
Indian Valley, 50% / 123%
Friant, 39% / 83%
Isabella, 63% / 224%
Lake San Antonio, 66% / 140%
Lake Tahoe/Tahoe City, 76% / 205%
Nacimiento, 61% / 157%
Camanche, 85% / 139%
Warm Springs, 61% / 113%
New Hogan, 60% / 156%
Castaic, 93% / 114%
Clear Lake/Cache Creek, 31% / 129%

SF Bay Reservoirs (and of local interest, where available)
Hetch Hetchy, 94% / 120%
Calaveras, 89% / 200%
Del Valle, 47% / 107%
U San Leandro, 95% / 127%
San Pablo, 56% / 95%
Chabot, 84% / 103%
Briones, 84% / 109%
Lexington Reservoir, 66% / 179%
San Antonio Reservoir, 103% / 118%
Lower Crystal Springs Reservoir, 74% / 111%

The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration announced El Nino's emergence in June, and advised that the climate pattern could signal another wet winter in Southern California, to say nothing of increased temperatures across the globe. California had 120+ trillion gallons poured on it in the water year that just ended, which is 10/1/22 - 9/30/23. We had been in severe drought conditions relating to the lack of rainfaill over the past three years. In June, the NOAA predicted a 56% chance of severe rainfall, but now it is 95%, per a story last week. Although it is indicated that more rain will fall in Southern California than Northern or Central California.

El Niño set to strengthen this winter, what does it mean for Northern California? (msn.com)

But what if we have another really, really wet year? The National Weather Service says next year could also see an above-average rainfall thanks to the EL Nino. How will that impact the state? The reservoirs are already full.  Will it contribute to the groundwater? Cause mass flooding? Simply go out to the sea?

There will be many happy fish.

---

Four dams in Southern Oregon and Northern California on the Klamath River are in the process of being dismantled.

California launches the largest dam removal project to protect salmon and tribal heritage

Ironically, Prop 1 funds are being used for this. A clause in that measure says funds can be used for “restoration.”

Those dams were pretty useless except for stopping Salmon from running further up the Klamath and its feeder streams.  They were pretty silted up and didn't serve much of a purpose as they had microscopic storage levels in the dam world. I have fished, hiked and driven along the 4WD roads that run along the Klamath from Klamath Falls to I5. I have also been along most of the feeder streams running into Klamath Lake. 
Water however, is a problem.  The area south to the California border included what were once some of the biggest wet lands around, most of have now been dried up and plowed up. Rain and snow has been limited the last few years and the water wars have started.  As things stand now there is no longer enough water to maintain the remaining wetlands, keep the rivers from becoming too warm and killing lots of fish, and irrigating the crops that now replace old wet lands. Like many other places, things are coming to a head on this issue.  Of course everyone is in a my way or the highway mode.