Can California Handle More Water After 12 Atmospheric Rivers?

Ah, California, the land of dreams, the Golden State, where the sun-soaked beaches meet the rugged mountains, and where water has always been a topic of fascination. You see, water in California is like the extra spice in your favorite dish—sometimes there's too little, and sometimes there's way too much!

In recent times, we've seen quite the deluge. A whopping 12 atmospheric rivers have been hurtling towards the state, leaving Californians both thrilled and slightly waterlogged. But let's not complain just yet. We've got more storms lined up in the Pacific, and number 12 is still pirouetting its way through Northern California. It's been making quite an entrance, leaving central and Southern California in awe, and even tossing a couple of tornadoes their way.

But what's the silver lining here, you ask? Well, for Northern California, there's a snowy delight in store. If you've got a date with the foothills or Sierra, prepare for a frosty embrace on Thursday and into Friday. Keep your winter coat ready, my friends!

The Storm Parade Continues

Hold on to your umbrellas because the weather circus isn't over yet. The next big weather system is gearing up for a grand entrance, set to arrive fashionably late on Monday, extending its performance through Tuesday and Wednesday. This is the storm system to watch, and it promises to deliver approximately another inch of rain for the valley and several inches of the fluffy white stuff for the Sierra.

But before you roll your eyes at the weather forecast, let's appreciate this wet spectacle because there's a high likelihood that the wet scenario will continue dancing through April. And speaking of March, it's already been a very wet month. Just ask the monitoring station in Sacramento executive, which has tallied over 4 inches of rain so far, putting us over 2 inches ahead of our typical March stats. Bravo, California!

Water: The Liquid Gold

Now, let's take a step back and look at the bigger picture. From October 1st of last year through September 30th of this year, California has been gifted 20.55 inches of rain. That's a staggering 5 1/2 inches ahead of the norm, and we still have several months to go.

If you're wondering about the rain timeline, well, by the time we hit May and June, it usually starts to taper off. July and August? Virtually dry as a bone. The state as a whole is sitting pretty with an excess of 10 to nearly 15 inches more than what we'd consider "normal." Palm Springs might be the lone straggler, trailing behind by about 1/4 of an inch, but the real winners are in Northern California.

Water Abundance: Blessings and Hazards

Now, hold onto your life jackets, folks, because the blessings of surplus water do come with a few aquatic hazards. As we speak, flood warnings are still waving their flags for the San Joaquin and the Merced rivers, standing their ground until further notice. These waters just haven't quite decided to retreat politely yet.

Upstream from the San Joaquin River, there's the Friant Dam, diligently releasing about 8800 cubic feet per second. Why, you ask? To accommodate all that melting snow, which is determined to feed the reservoirs scattered across central and Northern California. It's a carefully orchestrated aquatic symphony, and we need all the instruments to play their part.

The Precious Liquid in Action

It's not all bad news, though. Let's take a moment to appreciate the delicate ballet of nature as it unfolds. Behold, the Chinook salmon, gracefully released into the chilly waters of the San Joaquin River. You see, the frigid water is just what these fish need to thrive. It's so beneficial, in fact, that salmon fishing for this year is a no-go. There simply aren't enough salmon to make it a worthwhile season.

But it's all in preparation for next season, where we hope to see the fish populations back in full swing. The marvels of nature never cease to amaze!

The Future of California's Water

Now, as we stand on the precipice of potential water abundance, there's hope on the horizon. The US Bureau of Reclamation is taking action with four water projects in the pipeline, geared towards bolstering California's water resilience. This means an addition of approximately 1.8 million acre-feet of water, whether through new reservoirs or expanding existing ones. The future looks promising for water storage in California.

So, as the snowpack continues to swell, let's remember that we're storing about a third of our water supply in that snowy wonderland. In some places, it's reaching historic heights, like the northern Sierra, where we're at a staggering 181% of the average to date. As we approach April 1st, the time when we usually see the snow melt runoff, we're merely a week away from the grand show.

The numbers are aligning beautifully, with the central and southern Sierra boasting 231% and 283% of the average, respectively. This adds up to a statewide average of 227% to date and a jaw-dropping 222% for April 1st.

One place that's stealing the show in the snow department is the CEO of Snow Lab at UC Berkeley. We've surpassed the 1982-83 snowpack, which was the second snowiest on record. Though we may not quite reach the pinnacle of the 1950s, it's safe to say we've etched our names in the annals of snow history.

Water's Hidden Treasure

But let's not forget that not all snow is created equal. The amount of water hidden within that fluffy blanket is what truly matters. We call it the snow water equivalent, and it's the magic number we need to understand for filling our reservoirs. As we move into the runoff season and the dry months ahead, it becomes a critical piece of the puzzle.

At the central Sierra Snow Lab, the current snow water equivalent is scaling new heights, surpassing the maximum. But the real eye-opener is when we gaze upon Monitor Pass in the central Sierra. The snow water equivalent is nowhere near its usual max. This means that all that snow will eventually melt and make its way downstream. We must have the storage capacity to handle this watery extravaganza.

Reservoirs: Our Liquid Safeguard

Now, for a glimpse at our trusty reservoirs, which stand as guardians of our liquid treasure. Shasta is at 100% of the average and 77% full, offering plenty of space for more water. Oroville is at 120% of the historical average and approximately 82% full. Folsom, though a tad less full, sits at 110% of the average. It may not hold as much water as the others, but it's doing its part.

New Melones, at 55% full, is still holding strong at 90% of the historical average. Don Pedro is 88% full and boasts 118% of the average, while San Luis Reservoir is at a whopping 94% full, way above the 111% historical average. That last graph, showing San Luis Reservoir, is a sight for sore eyes, inching ever closer to capacity.