2018 has been a remarkable year for Mono Basin hydrology. A wet March pushed the Mono Basin year-type from the “Dry” category (with no required peak flows) to the “Normal” category (with significant peak flows). The last snow surveys around April 1 occurred prior to a very wet April and May, leaving a lot of uncertainty about how much snowmelt runoff to expect this year.
In addition, Southern California Edison is emptying Saddlebag Lake Reservoir by September 1 in order to repair a sinkhole, and it is keeping its upper Rush Creek reservoirs low due seismic concerns (as it has done each year since 2012). This also makes flows this spring higher than expected.
The Los Angeles Department of Water & Power issued an April 1 runoff forecast of 85% of average, however all indications are that it will be wetter, perhaps over 90% of average.
You can track most Mono Basin stream flows in real-time right here.
So.... Why is Southern California in a water crisis?
ReplyDeleteIs it?
DeleteThe Guv say's we gotta drink our bathwater, on alternate days...or sumthin'.
DeleteOkay, I should have said, "So... Why is the Californian Government telling us Southern California is in a water crisis?"
DeleteThere, fixed it.
So when is Sammy Hagar coming out with his next hit tune "I can't bathe 55!"
What an amazingly beautiful part of the country. Great hiking and fishing. Scenery is gorgeous. Mountains... the best anywhere.
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