San Jose Braces for More Rain as California’s Reservoirs Surge
San Jose and the greater Bay Area are experiencing a wet and wild February as back-to-back storms continue to drench Northern California. After an unusually dry January, the rain has come in full force, significantly boosting the state's water supply and pushing reservoirs to near capacity. Shasta Lake, California’s largest reservoir, has risen an impressive 22 feet in just over a week, and Lake Oroville has followed closely behind, surging 23 feet.
With more rain on the way, dam operators have begun controlled water releases to prevent flooding. Shasta Dam has been discharging 60,000 cubic feet per second—about 450,000 gallons every second—which is equivalent to 40 Olympic-sized swimming pools every minute. While these releases may seem excessive, experts say it's a necessary precaution. Keeping reservoirs too full during heavy storm seasons can lead to catastrophic flooding, as seen in past years.
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This latest storm system is classified as a Category 1 or 2 atmospheric river, expected to bring another 2 inches of rain to most Bay Area cities, with even heavier rainfall in the Santa Cruz Mountains and Big Sur. The National Weather Service has issued a winter storm warning for the Sierra Nevada, where snow totals could reach 4 feet, further bolstering the state’s water supply.
Despite concerns over flooding, experts say this rainfall is a much-needed relief. California has endured severe droughts in 11 of the last 17 years, making this stretch of wet winters a rare and welcome change. With reservoirs now above historical averages and a solid snowpack in the Sierras, Northern California is in a strong position heading into the spring and summer months.
For now, residents should prepare for slick roads, possible localized flooding, and a slow Thursday morning commute. But in the bigger picture, this rain is setting California up for a stable water year, reducing the likelihood of restrictions come summer. So grab your umbrellas, stay safe, and appreciate the rain—it’s doing wonders for our water supply!
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