After a 4 year hiatus, winter has returned to California and the lakes and reservoirs are feeling the love– big time.

Related: A Miracle March Could End California’s Drought!

So much so that 22″ of water (220″ of snow) currently resides in the mountains above the American River watershed. That amount has translated into Folsom Lake filling up and for the first time in 4 years, they’ve been forced to release some water from the reservoir. That controlled flooding is being executed with the anticipation of spring runoff putting massive amounts of water in the already full lake.

Screen Shot 2016-03-11 at 11.40.50 AM
Snow Water Equivalents Across The West | Photo Credit: US Department Of Agriculture

All the abundant snowfall has resulted in Lake Oroville rising 20 feet in five days!

Photo Credit: KCRA Facebook Page
Photo Credit: KCRA Facebook Page

Lake Shasta has risen 9 Feet!

Photo Credit: KCRA Facebook Page
Photo Credit: KCRA Facebook Page

Amount of Snow Above The American River Basin…

Photo Credit: KCRA Facebook Page
Photo Credit: KCRA Facebook Page

Stay up to date on the status of the California Drought here: KCRA Weather

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One reply on “WHOA: For The First Time In 4 Years, Folsom Lake Opens Flood Gates | Lake Oroville Rises 20 Feet In Five Days!”