California Reservoirs Rebound After Historic Atmospheric River

Record-breaking rainfall boosted water levels significantly in key reservoirs, offering relief after years of drought but raising concerns about future weather patterns.

• Northern California experienced a once-in-a-thousand-year atmospheric river, bringing record rainfall and widespread flooding while replenishing drought-stricken reservoirs.
• Reservoirs across the state gained 600,000 acre-feet of water in a week, with Lake Oroville rising by 22 feet and Lake Shasta by 8 feet during the storm.
• Lake Sonoma saw a dramatic 13-foot increase, reaching its highest water level for this time of year in six years, following 12 inches of rain in Santa Rosa over three days.
• The Department of Water Resources emphasized the importance of capturing rainwater while balancing flood control and future water delivery needs for millions of Californians.
• Experts caution that sustained rainfall in the coming months, particularly during December through February, will be critical to determining whether this is a wet or dry water year.

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