Drying Out from Rains

photo courtesy of captain Dave Nelson

The Redwood Canyon Golf Course had more water hazards than normal last week, thanks to the storms raging through the Bay Area. The rain and snow received over the entire State certainly put a major dent in our almost 4-year drought. Some parts of the Bay Area have already received their seasonal average rainfall, with some weather stations reporting precipitation over 300 percent of normal for this date. East Bay Municipal Utility District (EBMUD) says it is in great shape as the local reservoirs continue to fill from run-off in the hills. Up in the Mother Lode and High Sierra, the snow pack continues to grow and is around 250 percent of normal. Pardee reservoir is at 99 percent capacity and releasing water, while Camanche storage is at 74 percent, and they are also releasing water to allow for flood encroachment space. All East Bay Lakes are full except Lafayette, which is 74 percent. Looking at the big picture, EBMUD says its total capacity is 87 percent.

“What remains to be seen is if February and March get at least average rainfall,” Bay Area meteorologist Mike Pechner told the Forum. “If that happens, there certainly will be enough water for the rest of this year. But with no new added capacity and a growing population, droughts are inevitable in the years to come.”