Raindrops and snowflakes are falling on Lake Tahoe this morning. But drought has left the lake at its lowest level in eight years – falling below the spillways that feed the Truckee River. Federal Water Master Garry Stone says the bottom line is that no water is flowing out of the lake.
Officials say they hope a series of strong storms expected through the weekend and a strengthening El Nino could help reverse dry conditions plaguing the region the last three years.
If dry conditions continue this winter, substantial water supply problems could come next summer and suppliers would be forced to tap water stored in upstream reservoirs for drought emergencies.
This post was last modified on 01/31/2009 5:35 pm