Wednesday November 13, 2024
Redding Record Searchlight —
A pair of storms moving through Redding this week could dump 1.5 to 2 inches of rain in the region, helping bring up water levels at Lakes Shasta and raising hope California’s largest reservoir will fill up for a third straight year if a robust La Niña arrives this winter.
The lake was at 56% total capacity as of Monday, which is 104% of its historical average, according to the state Department of Water Resources’ most recent data.
That compares to 69% total capacity for the same day in 2023. The data provides concrete evidence of the impact the extreme weather that baked the West had on the lake, when billions of gallons of water were lost due to evaporation.
Michael Burke, a spokesman for the Bureau of Reclamation, said the water level in the lake is just under 27 feet lower today than it was a year ago. The federal agency operates Shasta Dam.