North Bay reservoirs full after back-to-back atmospheric river storms

"The surge of water, more than 22,400 gallons a second, plunged from the foot of Warm Springs Dam, launching a fine mist above. That was the spectacle of abundance last week at Lake Sonoma, the North Bay's largest reservoir, where the U.S. Army Corps was releasing what dam managers call an oversupply the welcome product of heavy runoff from recent storms. RELATED: Is California really 100% drought-free for the first time in 25 years? Yes and no. Here's why."

"The back-to-back atmospheric rivers that drenched the region beginning before Christmas and extending through the start of the new year have bolstered water reserves across the region, raising reservoirs many feet to the seasonal brim for Lakes Sonoma and Mendocino, within the Russian River watershed. The inflow made for happy water engineers steady early-season rains are a holiday gift in their world."

Massive releases from Warm Springs Dam discharged more than 22,400 gallons per second, producing a visible mist at Lake Sonoma. The U.S. Army Corps released oversupply water after heavy storm runoff. Back-to-back atmospheric rivers beginning before Christmas and extending into the new year boosted regional water reserves and raised Lakes Sonoma and Mendocino to near seasonal brim. The inflow relieved low-season deficits and energized water managers, who described steady early-season rains as beneficial. Reservoirs are full and the watershed is saturated, but officials maintain cautious optimism as a spell of warmer, dry weather begins.

Read at www.pressdemocrat.com