California Water Lords' Incompetence

[Skull]

The California Globe has stories outlining the situation:

Facing Dry Year, CA State Water Board is Draining California Reservoirs - California Globe

“In the last 14 days, 90% of Delta inflow went to sea. It’s equal to a year’s supply of water for 1 million people.
#ManMadeDrought,” Central Valley farmer Kristi Diener said.

Diener, a California water expert and farmer, has been warning steadily that water is unnecessarily being let out to sea as the state faces a normal dry year.

“Are we having a dry year? Yes,” Diener says. “That is normal for us. Should we be having water shortages in the start of our second dry year? No. Our reservoirs were designed to provide a steady five year supply for all users, and were filled to the top in June 2019.”

 

[Skull]

Now a story on draining Folsom Lake:

Facing Dry Year, CA State Water Board is Draining California's Folsom Lake Reservoir - California Globe

Following the Globe article Friday about the state draining reservoirs even with the dry year California is facing, we noted that California’s largest reservoirs less than two years ago were absolutely teeming with water from 107% to 145% of average. Water expert Kristi Diener said California’s reservoirs held enough water in 2019 for everyone who relies on them for their water supply, for 7 years.

A longtime friend of the Globe, Graig Gottwals, an attorney and professional bass fisherman, reported another infuriating aspect of the draining of California reservoirs – specifically Folsom Lake in the Sacramento region.

“I’ve lived near and bass fished Folsom for 17 years now,” Gottwals said. “Beginning roughly 10 to 12 years ago, the state decided that whenever the lake dropped under 400 feet in elevation, boaters had to abide by a 5 mph speed limit. This was for purported safety reasons – more of the bubble wrapping of America.”

 

[Concerned American]

Now a story on draining Folsom Lake:

Facing Dry Year, CA State Water Board is Draining California's Folsom Lake Reservoir - California Globe

Following the Globe article Friday about the state draining reservoirs even with the dry year California is facing, we noted that California’s largest reservoirs less than two years ago were absolutely teeming with water from 107% to 145% of average. Water expert Kristi Diener said California’s reservoirs held enough water in 2019 for everyone who relies on them for their water supply, for 7 years.

A longtime friend of the Globe, Graig Gottwals, an attorney and professional bass fisherman, reported another infuriating aspect of the draining of California reservoirs – specifically Folsom Lake in the Sacramento region.

“I’ve lived near and bass fished Folsom for 17 years now,” Gottwals said. “Beginning roughly 10 to 12 years ago, the state decided that whenever the lake dropped under 400 feet in elevation, boaters had to abide by a 5 mph speed limit. This was for purported safety reasons – more of the bubble wrapping of America.”

Folsom is a minor reservoir. It drains down every year and can refill in a day with a good rain storm. No story here.

 

[Skull]

A chart showing all reservoirs with over 90% capacity in 2019:

https://6f45g2d4rjnipqbg27qcdg1a-wpengine.netdna-ssl.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/05/186495068_10224658407958285_1342165308580268556_n-1.jpg

 

[Dekster]

Now a story on draining Folsom Lake:

Facing Dry Year, CA State Water Board is Draining California's Folsom Lake Reservoir - California Globe

Following the Globe article Friday about the state draining reservoirs even with the dry year California is facing, we noted that California’s largest reservoirs less than two years ago were absolutely teeming with water from 107% to 145% of average. Water expert Kristi Diener said California’s reservoirs held enough water in 2019 for everyone who relies on them for their water supply, for 7 years.

A longtime friend of the Globe, Graig Gottwals, an attorney and professional bass fisherman, reported another infuriating aspect of the draining of California reservoirs – specifically Folsom Lake in the Sacramento region.

“I’ve lived near and bass fished Folsom for 17 years now,” Gottwals said. “Beginning roughly 10 to 12 years ago, the state decided that whenever the lake dropped under 400 feet in elevation, boaters had to abide by a 5 mph speed limit. This was for purported safety reasons – more of the bubble wrapping of America.”

Folsom has design issues. Its valves don't work properly when it is overfilled.

 

[Concerned American]

“In the last 14 days, 90% of Delta inflow went to sea. It’s equal to a year’s supply of water for 1 million people.

I think there is no story here. The delta does not just run to the sea. It also feeds the Delta Mendota canal that provides irrigation for the central valley. It also provides water to the California Aqueduct which provides water for LA and southern CA. Outflow is necessary to keep the delta clear of salt water intrusion while promoting agriculture in the delta, not to mention fish habitat. The story spotlights Folsom and Shaver lakes--two minor lakes at best. Why don't they talk about Orville dam, Don Pedro Lake, New Melones Lake, Lake McClure, Lake Shasta--you know some major lakes. CA water managers are some of the best in the world. They have made sure the state stays hydrated when lesser managers would have dried it out long ago.