California’s Biggest Reservoirs Filling

[markskor]

.
California’s Biggest Reservoirs Filling After Parade of Wet Storms
Bazinga!
Reservoir Capacity Current Pct. of Capacity
SHASTA 4,552,000 3,582,246 79
OROVILLE 3,537,577 2,491,852 70
http://ww2.kqed.org/news/2016/03/14/cal ... pring-2016

[rlown]

without those filling, we can't send "our" water South. We need two states. So we can sell water to the South.

[Wandering Daisy]

Northern California farmers DO sell some of their water to the south, at large profits too. "Sending" water south alleviates northern California flood risks. I see it as a win-win for all Californians.

[rlown]

You're aware of the two 40' diameter pipes they're installing to send water South, right? In addition to the two aqueducts we already have heading south.

https://garamendi.house.gov/WaterPlan

If the North is in drought, we shouldn't send water South. My opinion. Probably the Salmon's opinion as well.

We're supposed to save water so that the "extra" can be sent South where they obviously don't plan? We don't have extra from the 3.3 years of drought. WD, you can see that up close with Folsom and that you could walk out and touch the foundations of the town that was there before they dammed it.

Have you seen some of the reports on all the green lawns in SoCal? I let mine pretty much die until we got rain. I'm on a well, so I kind of care about water usage.

Guess they do have the Diamond Valley Lake they created in southern California, but If we're in a drought in the North, I don't want to fill that!

Just a thought.

Russ

[Tom_H]

We drove by Shasta Wed. (3-29). It is almost full, but the only remaining snowpack in the area is a touch on high ridges and peaks. Mt. Shasta is still well coated, but that's about it.

[Wandering Daisy]

Southern California actually has historically had a better record of per capita conservation of water than we do. They have been planning and conserving decades before we have. The northern reservoirs are releasing due to being full enough to encroach into flood water storage. It is all about operating rules that are designed for the entire state's water supply system and flood protection. It actually galls me a bit for laymen to spout off opinions without much knowledge of the system and how it works. There are actually a bunch of really dedicated scientists and engineers who are doing a pretty good job of protecting the system and the water supply considering the entire state's needs. We should be thankful that the reservoirs are filling and not so stingy that we do not want to share a drop. There is also the matter of water rights. Yes, things could be improved, but it is a complex system with complex problems. It is overly simplistic to point your finger at Southern California as the culprit in this drought.

[Jimr]

Shhhh, don't let truth get in the way of a good resentment.

[Troutdog 59]

Some more food for thought on water usage.

Of all the water sent down the CA aqueduct system (not including the Owens Valley and Colorado River system canals), less than 15 % of the water goes over the hill to So Cal and only about 5% is used for domestic purposes. If folks in So cal cut their water use 50%, it would save about 2 to 3% of the States water budget.

A very small percentage of the water in the CA aqueduct system is given to some water starved west side communities (Coalinga, Kettleman, etc), but the majority (75% or more) is used by west side 'farmers" such as J.G. Boswell and Paramount Farms.

Our "water wars" are really between competing agricultural regions from the northern parts and central parts of the state than they are about domestic use. The Sacramento Valley and Delta region farmers don't support the twin tunnels project being pushed by Sacramento, but the Westside farmers and water districts that sell the water sure do.