As the water year approaches its end on September 30th, reservoir storage remains robust, with all reservoirs currently holding 70% to 90% of their capacity—above the average for this time of year. This data comes from the Department of Water Resources’ Hydrology Center. These strong figures can be attributed to the state’s receipt of historic rainfall and snowpack from numerous atmospheric rivers, which have totaled over a dozen, significantly boosting water reserves.
Looking ahead, should the increasingly active El Niño pattern persist, the state may be headed for another wet winter, leading to additional precipitation that will sustain the vitality of lakes, streams, and farmlands. Notably, as of August 10th, the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) has raised the likelihood of El Niño’s influence on the northern hemisphere to 95%, spanning from December through the winter months into February of the following year.
