California Water Watch / A look at the water supply
January was one of the five wettest months on record in California, leaving rivers high and reservoirs filling rapidly.
The Northern Report
Sacramento River Basin: River flows are about 25% above average, and the water content of the snowpack is nearly double the normal amount.
Eastern Sierra: Runoff of rain and snow this year is expected to be 40% above normal.
Rainfall Measure
Season to date, Feb. 1 A) San Francisco: 172% of normal B) Sacramento: 181% of normal C) Los Angeles: 173% of normal D) San Diego: 159% of normal *
The Bottom Line
Some of the state’s major reservoirs have begun spilling water to make room for additional precipitation that is expected through the rest of the rainy season, which officially ends in April.
Reservoir Storage
Figures from 155 major reservoirs Capacity: 37.6 million acre-feet Current (as of 1/31/95): 23.9 million acre-feet Average season: 23.01 million acre-feet Outlook
State officials say that they will deliver 100% of the water sought by the local agencies that use the State Water Project. Even if the state is unseasonably dry for the rest of the winter, officials say enough rain and snow has already fallen to satisfy the state’s needs for 1995 and part of 1996.
Sources: State Dept. of Water Resources, Metropolitan Water District, Los Angeles Department of Water and Power, National Weather Service.
Compiled by FRED MUIR and NONA YATES / Los Angeles Times
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