A powerful series of atmospheric rivers has delivered a major boost to Northern California’s reservoirs, with several lakes rising rapidly over just a few days as heavy rain and runoff poured into watersheds across the region.
A massive jump came at Lake Shasta, where water levels climbed 16 feet in six days, rising from just over 994 feet on Dec. 19 to 1,010 feet by Dec. 25, according to the California Department of Water Resources. The reservoir is now 64% full, about 11% above its historical average for late December.
Lake Oroville rose rapidly to 806.10 feet, a 19 foot jump during the storm and a 41 foot jump from the past week. The lake went from from 51% full to 63%, a 12 percent increase that pushed it to 118% of its seasonal average. Just south, Folsom Lake climbed from 48% to 53% full, while remaining well above normal at 130% of average.
In the northern Sierra foothills, New Bullards Bar Reservoir jumped 13 percentage points, from 60% to 73% full, and Lake Sonoma rose from 57% to 65%. Farther south, San Luis Reservoir increased from 62% to 65%, while Camanche Reservoir climbed from 74% to 76% full.
Even slower-responding Trinity Lake edged up from 74% to 79% full, now sitting at an impressive 132% of its historical average.
Together, the rapid rises highlight just how quickly back-to-back winter storms can reshape California’s water outlook.