Sierra Nevada Reservoirs Fill As Snow Melts

Sonora, CA — Several reservoirs in the region are at near average levels for the date as the snow has been melting this spring across the Sierra Nevada.

California’s Department of Water Resources reports that Lake Don Pedro, which is fed by the Tuolumne River, is at 74% of capacity and 98% of its historic average. Last  year at this time it was only 41% of capacity and 54% of average.

New Melones Reservoir is still only 26% of capacity and 41% of average. It is up compared to a year ago, though, when the numbers were 19% and 31%. Looking at other reservoirs fed by the Stanislaus River, Lake Tulloch is at 94% of capacity and 98% of average, Beardsley Reservoir is 90% of capacity and 118% of average, Donnells Reservoir is 90% of capacity and 116% of average.

Also of note, Lake McClure is 56% of capacity and 85% of average, New Hogan Reservoir is 42% of capacity and 76% of average and Camanche is 66% of capacity and 99% of average.

Compiling the numbers from all of California’s major reservoirs, overall storage is at 88.5% of average for the date.