REDDING, Calif. & OROVILLE, Calif. — California’s two largest reservoirs, Shasta Lake and Lake Oroville, have surged near capacity after weeks of heavy rainfall, prompting the activation of their massive spillways to release millions of gallons of water.
According to Bay Area News Group, Shasta Lake rose 22 feet in early February, while Lake Oroville climbed 23 feet. As of February 1, Shasta Lake was at 90% capacity, later reduced to 84% by February 12. The U.S. Bureau of Reclamation reported that Shasta Dam initially released 60,000 cubic feet per second but scaled back to 40,000 due to flooding along the Sacramento River between Redding and Cottonwood (Redding Record Searchlight).
The California Department of Water Resources confirms most reservoirs statewide remain above historic averages, ensuring a strong water supply but requiring careful management to prevent overflow risks.
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