For the third year in a row, Shasta Lake is nearly full following another wet winter.
The lake’s surface level currently sits at 1,061.70 feet, just shy of its full capacity of 1,067 feet, according to the U.S. Bureau of Reclamation. That’s 96% of total capacity and 114% of the historical average for this time of year.
The surge in water levels follows multiple atmospheric river storms that drenched the region during the holiday season. The lake saw a similar rise last year, marking a dramatic turnaround from the extreme drought years that left it cracked and barren in 2021.
Lake Oroville, the state’s second-largest reservoir, is also thriving, sitting at 96% capacity and 120% of its historical average as of Friday.
With reservoirs full and more runoff expected, Northern California is enjoying a rare streak of water abundance—an encouraging sign after years of historic drought.
