California's Reservoirs: Current Status And Future Outlook

Major reservoirs across California are performing above or near their historical average, but a dry summer has contributed to falling water levels. Regardless of the plunge, most of the Golden State's major reservoirs are in a much better state than at their lowest point in 2022. This marks a significant recovery from the concerningly low levels experienced during the summer of 2022, when years of drought had left many reservoirs critically depleted.

Following an abnormally wet winter that replenished the lakes, California has seen reservoir water levels rise across the state. In fact, the state's two largest reservoirs, Lake Shasta and Lake Oroville, are nearing their capacity as we move further into 2023 and 2024. This improvement is crucial, considering that the state has faced challenges related to water supply in recent years.

As of Thursday, many reservoirs are performing near their historical average, though a considerable number remain below 80 percent capacity, as reported by the California Department of Water Resources (DWR). Individual reservoir graphs indicate a steady decline in water levels over the summer months, as dry conditions have once again affected the state. This situation underscores the volatility of California's water resources, which are highly dependent on seasonal weather patterns.

However, the reservoir levels are better than they were this time two years ago. "Major California reservoirs are currently 115 percent of average for this date," Dr. Michael Anderson, a state climatologist with the California DWR, told Newsweek. This statistic highlights the significant improvements made since the last drought was at its peak.

California completely emerged from drought for the first time in three years last fall, but dry, hot conditions have impacted the state once more. As of Thursday, the U.S. Drought Monitor map showed that none of the state was battling extreme or exceptional drought, a stark contrast to the 60 percent that faced extreme drought during the summer of 2022. While the situation is not as dire, vigilance is necessary to manage the available water supply effectively.

Lake Oroville's level has dropped 133 feet since June, though at 766 feet, it remains more than 80 feet above this time in 2022. Lake Shasta has fallen roughly 67 feet since June, yet its levels are still more than 70 feet above where they were in late October of 2022. The overall picture reveals that while there have been reductions in water levels, the reservoirs are still in a healthier state compared to previous years.

The state’s other large reservoirs reflect a similar story, indicating that recovery is possible. Meteorologists are forecasting another wet winter for California, which could further supplement the reservoirs. This potential for increased precipitation brings hope for improved storage conditions moving forward.

"Storage conditions next summer will be dependent on precipitation the state receives this winter," Anderson stated. The state is preparing to take advantage of any water received by improving reservoir operations and investing in enhanced forecasting to inform water management decisions. This proactive approach aims to mitigate future drought effects and optimize water use for all Californians.

Earlier this month, AccuWeather issued a forecast predicting that atmospheric rivers would impact northern California before shifting to southern California in January. These atmospheric rivers, described as "long, narrow regions in the atmosphere that transport most of the water vapor outside of the tropics," can bring both benefits and challenges. While they can alleviate drought conditions, they also pose risks of flooding and mudslides.

As Paul Pastelok, an AccuWeather senior meteorologist, explained, another wet winter would significantly improve California's water situation. "If this happens, it will help again to keep those levels good all the way through most of 2025," he noted. This underscores the importance of seasonal weather patterns in determining the state’s water resources.

Update 10/24/24, 2:31 p.m. ET: This article was updated to include comments from the California Department of Water Resources.