this is the proper way to do things and should be codified once the aquifers hit a certain level and excess runoff is available. farmer built the pumps and floods his fields with extra runoff to replenish the aquifers. regrettably, his sacrifice and planning will help others that did neither. this practice seems to be gaining in popularity with the authorities but they have not codified it yet like they should. California farmers flood fields to boost groundwater basin (msn.com) Taking some tomatoes out of production for a year is an easy choice if it means boosting future water supplies for his farm about 35 miles (56 kilometers) southwest of Fresno. He’s pumping 300 acre-feet a day — enough to supply hundreds of households for a year — from the gushing North Fork of the Kings River onto former vegetable fields and others dotted with pistachio trees, which can withstand heavy flooding. “We knew long-term if we didn’t have water, we’d be out of business,” Cameron said. “We’re doing our part to protect communities downstream, but we’re also putting the water in the ground.” The 70-year-old has spent more than a decade building and expanding a system to divert floodwaters from nearby rural communities and is a pioneer in the practice of on-farm recharge, or flooding agricultural lands during rainy periods to help restore the groundwater basin.
can anyone explain to me why the Trinity reservoir in N cali is only at 51% of historical averages while every other reservoir is at or above historical averages? Major Water Supply Reservoirs (ca.gov) Major Reservoir Current Conditions Graphs (ca.gov)
I'm not sure this is the case with Trinity or not, but reservoirs that rely on rain water as their primary source are at high levels, and will increase a bit as the snow melts. But reservoirs that rely on snow melt as their primary source are still at lower levels, but will rise significantly as the snow melts. It's likely Trinity is more dependent upon snowmelt than others. The wet and cold weather hasn't let up yet. Snowpack at Mammoth is at 130 inches, and at Tahoe, it's 259 inches! And more is falling right now as I'm typing! This means ski season will likely last into May, when it's usually done by mid April. Also means those high level reservoirs that rely on snowmelt will rise, and by a lot, when the weather finally starts to warm up.
I recall an article a couple of weeks ago noting that snowpack in the Sierra Nevada was 200 percent of normal for an average season and since then snow has continued to fall and the season is still far from over.
Long range models showing a shutoff in two weeks but they are in a good place for this year. Need two more good years and thoughtful plans for capturing runoff.
Mammoth base is a lot higher 260 base and 350 at summit. They’ve had 670 inches this year. I only follow heavenly but base is 170 there.
Maybe it has a smaller area to drain into it, or is more reliant on snowmelt, which is only starting to fill reservoirs. I wouldn't expect the reservoirs to fill at the same rates.
Here is a west coast weather story that I missed: Alaska apparently got nailed by a typhoon. It happened last September, and people even now are struggling to get food partly because of it. Winds were about 86 mph, but waves were up to 54 feet. 'People are suffering': Food stamp woes worsen Alaska hunger (yahoo.com) Typhoon's remnants could bring seas of up to 54 feet toward Alaska's coast : NPR
Nice side effect to all the rain and snow. The water is uncovering gold and flowing it down from the mountains From the NYT:
An atmospheric river is headed to the northwest. Another storm is brewing in the northeast. Dangerous weekend weather forecast: Atmospheric river; millions face flooding risk
Another atmospheric river heading for southern California. They are expecting 1" at the coast, and as much as 4" inland in the mountains. Some flooding is expected. Here’s how much rain Southern California could get over the next 7 days
California's lakes and reservoirs are starting to fill up. Lake Shasta is 70% full. They had to release water from Oroville Dam to prepare for more rain. California’s Lake Shasta rising from severe-drought levels in stunning before and after images - Yahoo Sports Water rushing at California resrvoirs
That is a positive in what is otherwise a concerning event. We have been trying to get our daughter more concerned. One of the preeminent experts is Dr. Daniel Swain, who has been putting out tweets and YouTube presentations. It’s off putting because he looks about 17. But his latest is that it is major but may not be worst case.
Central California may be getting a hurricane in the near future. Winds from the atmospheric river could be as high as 92 mph, and 94% of the state's population is at risk for flooding. State of emergency declared as atmospheric river clobbers California: Live updates
I am weird and like following numbers. Lake Mead still is low but it is no longer dangerously low. Snow melt typically refills it but these massive deluges have the water levels rising when traditionally they would be falling.
Complaining about drought a couple years ago, now you complain about rain. Would you make up your mind?!
Of the top 13 strongest hurricanes to hit the US, 3 have occurred in the last 30 years. These guys are a little late to the party. Made news, though. FYI, 4 occurred between 1915 and 1935, a 20 year span.
