Updated May 19, 2022
Folsom, Calif.- May has arrived and the dry season is upon us. While late April rains and high mountain snowfall have slightly improved the water outlook, the overall picture remains difficult. An exceptionally dry season has exacerbated fire and drought concerns for 2022. Following early winter rain and snow that walloped California with major snowstorms in December, optimistic hopes of a wet winter were dashed. While the 2021 deluge did bring sizable relief to our drought-plagued state, a steady flow of winter precipitation failed to materialize.
Among the largest reservoirs in California, Folsom Lake and Lake Oroville have seen the largest increase statewide to date this rainy season. Folsom Lake, a critical water supply to the Sacramento region was recently among the most depleted reservoirs.
After dropping to 22 percent, Folsom now stands at 110% of average at 86 percent capacity. Lake Oroville, which at one point was forced to shut off it hydropower after dropping to 22 percent, now sits at 55 percent according to the California Department of Water Resources.
Drought updates and status of California’s 10 largest reservoirs.
Cities throughout California have tightened water restrictions in an effort to navigate extreme drought. Communities such as Roseville and Folsom have mandated 20 percent cutbacks, while in Mendocino County, wells have run dry as the community has been forced to import water by the truck load.
Did You Know?
- 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
May 19, 2022
| RESERVOIR | % Capacity | % Average |
|---|---|---|
| Shasta Lake | 40 | 48 |
| New Melones | 38 | 60 |
| Don Pedro | 65 | 83 |
| Lake Oroville | 55 (+33)* | 70 |
| Trinity Lake | 31 | 39 |
| San Luis Res | 46 | 61 |
| New Bullards Bar | 88 (+47)* | 102 |
| Lake McClure | 43 | 68 |
| Pine Flat Res | 57 | 87 |
| FOLSOM LAKE | 86 (+64)* | 110 |
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 |
Sept 1, 2021
| RESERVOIR | % Capacity | % Average |
|---|---|---|
| Shasta Lake | 27 | 43 |
| New Melones | 38 | 65 |
| Don Pedro | 53 | 75 |
| Lake Oroville | 23 | 34 |
| Trinity Lake | 35 | 47 |
| San Luis Res | 13 | 32 |
| New Bullards Bar | 44 | 65 |
| Lake McClure | 25 | 45 |
| Pine Flat Res | 20 | 52 |
| Folsom Lake | 24 | 38 |
Top 10 California Reservoirs – Aug 1, 2021
| RESERVOIR | % Capacity | % Average |
|---|---|---|
| Shasta Lake | 32 | 45 |
| New Melones | 43 | 70 |
| Don Pedro | 57 | 74 |
| Lake Oroville | not reporting | – |
| Trinity Lake | 41 | 51 |
| San Luis Res | 20 | 42 |
| New Bullards Bar | 48 | 62 |
| Lake McClure | 30 | 50 |
| Pine Flat Res | 21 | 42 |
| Folsom Lake | 25 | 35 |
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 |
Top 10 California Reservoirs – June 10, 2021
| RESERVOIR | Storage (Acre Feet) | % Capacity | % Average |
|---|---|---|---|
| Shasta Lake | 1,907,481 | 42 | 50 |
| New Melones | 1,329,607 | 55 | 87 |
| Don Pedro | 1,316,816 | 65 | 84 |
| Lake Oroville | 1,291,556 | 37 | 44 |
| Trinity Lake | 1,231,052 | 50 | 58 |
| San Luis Res | 827,617 | 41 | 54 |
| New Bullards Bar | 550,214 | 57 | 66 |
| Lake McClure | 432,543 | 42 | 61 |
| Pine Flat Res | 394,337 | 39 | 55 |
| Folsom Lake | 346,358 | 35 | 42 |
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