The water level in Lake Mendocino has fallen below 20,000 acre feet (AF) despite state orders preventing hundreds of water rights holders from drawing from the Russian River. A minimum storage goal of 20,000 AF by Oct. 1, 2021 was recommended by the Sonoma County Water Agency (Sonoma Water) in …
Read More »Algae warning at Pyramid Lake, Public urged to avoid contact with water
The Department of Water Resources (DWR) has issued an algae warning for Pyramid Lake in Los Angeles County and is urging the public to avoid contact with water until further notice. Boating is allowed, but swimming and other water-contact recreation and sporting activities are not considered safe due to potential …
Read More »Emergency curtailment orders for the Scott and Shasta Rivers approved
An emergency curtailment regulation for the Scott and Shasta Rivers was approved this week by the State Water Resources Control Board (SWRCB). The order still needs to be approved by the Office of Administrative Law and filed with the Secretary of State before curtailment orders can be issued, but up …
Read More »Colorado River shortage declared; MWD responds with “Water Supply Alert” for SoCal
The Bureau of Reclamation declared a water shortage on the Colorado River for the first time Monday, triggering mandatory cuts for states in the Southwest. In a statement, Reclamation highlighted the severity of the drought and declining reservoir levels as the reason for reduced downstream releases from Glen Canyon Dam …
Read More »Drought forces the closure of Lake Berryessa’s Capell Cove launch ramp
The Bureau of Reclamation, Central California Area Office, has announced it will temporarily close the Capell Cove launch ramp at Lake Berryessa effective today, Aug. 10, due to drought conditions and receding water levels. The launch ramp will be re-opened when lake levels rise. The parking lot and small picnic …
Read More »Sever drought causes DWR to shut down Hyatt Powerplant at Lake Oroville
On Wednesday, Lake Oroville reached the lowest recorded level at 642-feet above mean sea level. In response, the Department of Water Resources (DWR) has shut down the Hyatt Powerplant at Lake Oroville for the first time in its history. Director Karla Nemeth released the following statement regarding the status of hydropower operations …
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