Update follows heavy rain and snow
Folsom, Calif.- Heavy rains and snow has arrived along with colder temps. During wet season our attention turns to the annual process of reservoir replenishment. Below is a quick look at where each major reservoir stands to end the years as well as a glance at previous years.
The previous two wet seasons delivered California from a horrible drought and catastrophic fire seasons. A more than ample dose of precipitation these previous two years quickly tamped down on the doom and gloom. Let’s all hope for good season of precipitation!
Here’s how California’s 10 largest reservoirs stand as the wet season draws closer.
Fun Facts
- Taller than the Hoover Dam, the Lake Oroville Dam at 770 feet is the tallest in the United States.
- An acre foot is approximately 326,000 gallons. The average U.S. household is estimated to use between one half to one acre foot per year.
- In 2017, the Lake Oroville Dam spillway at risk of failure caused a large scale evacuation
Total Outdoor use accounts for an estimated 30 percent of water use according the U.S. EPA.
California reservoir levels over time
January 2025
| RESERVOIR | % Capacity | % Average |
|---|---|---|
| Shasta Lake | 78 | 130 |
| New Melones | 77 | 139 |
| Don Pedro | 69 | 101 |
| Lake Oroville | 68 | 128 |
| Trinity Lake | 76 | 126 |
| San Luis Res | 70 | 109 |
| New Bullards Bar | 78 | 124 |
| Lake McClure | 63 | 143 |
| Pine Flat Res | 46 | 131 |
| FOLSOM LAKE | 37 | 90 |
Nov 1, 2023
| RESERVOIR | % Capacity | % Average |
|---|---|---|
| Shasta Lake | 69 | 129 |
| New Melones | 79 | 147 |
| Don Pedro | 81 | 123 |
| Lake Oroville | 68 | 134 |
| Trinity Lake | 50 | 86 |
| San Luis Res | 65 | 145 |
| New Bullards Bar | 69 | 115 |
| Lake McClure | 65 | 152 |
| Pine Flat Res | 56 | 202 |
| FOLSOM LAKE | 57 | 131 |
November 1, 2022
| RESERVOIR | % Capacity | % Average |
|---|---|---|
| Shasta Lake | 31 | 58 |
| New Melones | 24 | 45 |
| Don Pedro | 49 | 75 |
| Lake Oroville | 31 | 61 |
| Trinity Lake | 22 | 38 |
| San Luis Res | 25 | 55 |
| New Bullards Bar | 62 | 103 |
| Lake McClure | 18 | 42 |
| Pine Flat Res | 16 | 56 |
| FOLSOM LAKE | 30 | 69 |
Oct 1, 2021
| RESERVOIR | % Capacity | % Average |
|---|---|---|
| Shasta Lake | 24 | 39 |
| New Melones | 35 | 63 |
| Don Pedro | 50 | 74 |
| Lake Oroville | 22 | 36 |
| Trinity Lake | 29 | 43 |
| San Luis Res | 12 | 26 |
| New Bullards Bar | 41 | 67 |
| Lake McClure | 20 | 45 |
| Pine Flat Res | 20 | 59 |
| Folsom Lake | 23 | 41 |
Top 10 California Reservoirs – July 4, 2021
| RESERVOIR | % Capacity | % Average |
|---|---|---|
| Shasta Lake | 38 | 48 |
| New Melones | 50 | 79 |
| Don Pedro | 61 | 77 |
| Lake Oroville | 31 | 39 |
| Trinity Lake | 47 | 55 |
| San Luis Res | 32 | 51 |
| New Bullards Bar | 53 | 62 |
| Lake McClure | 37 | 53 |
| Pine Flat Res | 28 | 41 |
| Folsom Lake | 29 | 35 |
data source: California Dept of Water Resources