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Drought worries ease as Lake Sonoma drinking water supply hits 100 percent

Posted by: Maven on January 27, 2010 at 8:10 am

From the Santa Rosa Press Democrat:

“Ten straight days of rain have pushed Sonoma County to above-average rainfall for the first time in three years, filling area reservoirs and easing drought concerns.

But the storms also flooded roads in the North Coast and produced a steady stream of power failures and falling trees that kept maintenance crews scrambling to stay ahead with rain in the forecast again today.

In Santa Rosa, 1.27 inches of rain fell in the 24-hour period ending at 4 p.m. Monday. That brought the 10-day total to 7.68 inches and the seasonal total to 16.88 inches, exceeding the historical average of 16.21 inches for the date.

At 2 p.m. Monday, Lake Sonoma was at 97 percent of its water supply capacity. Lake Mendocino was at 82 percent. The lakes provide the majority of water to residents from Ukiah to San Rafael.

“We are in far better shape than two weeks ago,” said Mike Thompson, the Sonoma County Water Agency’s deputy chief engineer for flooding. “Lake Mendocino ideally needs to get 100 percent of water supply for us to be in good shape.” … “

Read more from the Santa Rosa Press Democrat by clicking here.

Indeed, good news for Lake Sonoma – the Press-Democrat later reported that Lake Sonoma’s drinking water pool is full in this related article:

“Lake Sonoma has recovered from three years of below average rainfall, filling up its water supply pool and hitting the flood stage Tuesday for the first time in five years.

The lake hit 245,000 acre-feet at about 4 a.m. Above that level, the water is into the flood pool and can be released through Warm Springs Dam into Dry Creek and the Russian River.

The Army Corps of Engineers also now takes over the operations of the dam from the Sonoma County Water Agency for flood control purposes. … “

More of this story from the Press-Democrat by clicking here.

January 27, 2010 · Filed Under Drinking Water & Bottled Water

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