From Newsweek · · 1m 20s
El Niño Water Crisis in California
El Niño may bring more water to California than reservoirs can hold.
In brief
El Niño may bring more water to California than reservoirs can hold. Southern California reservoirs are near capacity as El Niño could deliver above-average winter rain. Originally reported by Newsweek.
El Niño forecast for California
New precipitation outlooks from NOAA's Climate Prediction Center suggest above-average winter rain for Southern California.
El Niño strength
The developing El Niño is expected to become a 'super' event by winter, with waters warmer than average by 2 degrees Celsius.
Reservoir capacity concerns
Southern California reservoirs are already near capacity as of Friday, with Castaic Lake at 95 percent.
Water management strategy
Reservoir managers draw down water levels each winter to create space for incoming rain and ensure safe water release.
Lake Casitas and Diamond Valley
Lake Casitas is at 95 percent capacity, 123 percent above average, while Diamond Valley is at 97 percent, 129 percent above average.
Diamond Valley's unique operation
Diamond Valley, an off-stream reservoir, fills through pipelines, so El Niño rain won't fill it unless it falls directly over the reservoir.
Water storage plans
Metropolitan Water District plans to capture and store as much water as possible for the next dry period using groundwater basins.
What happens next
El Niño will strengthen into winter, with increased precipitation chances starting in November and peaking from December to April.
The takeaway
Southern California reservoirs are near capacity as El Niño could deliver above-average winter rain.
