Wednesday April 19, 2023
Redding Record Searchlight —
Lake Shasta has reached water levels not seen since 2019, according to California officials. That abundance means more water will pour out of Shasta Dam this spring as the power plant begins running at full capacity.
The reservoir got a big influx after winter storms dumped enough rain and snow on western Shasta County to surpass historic averages, according to the National Weather Service. It’s a refreshing change after three years of drought.
As of Tuesday morning, Shasta Dam Reservoir is at 93% of its capacity, said Donald Bader, area manager for the U.S. Bureau of Reclamation, which operates the dam. That’s 13% higher than its 30-year historic average.
Monday’s light rain showers added a few 100ths of an inch to the reservoir’s total, said meteorologist Eric Kurth at the weather service’s Sacramento office on Tuesday morning. A few scattered showers on Tuesday afternoon could add another few hundredths before the weather turns warm this weekend.