Before and after images show incredible impact of storms on California reservoirs

[Auggie]

San Francisco Chronicle / February 18, 2023

During a three-week period starting in late December, California received almost half of its normal precipitation for an entire year. These downpours, and additional rain in January, led to widespread improvements in drought conditions across the state.

Images snapped by the Landsat 8 and Landsat 9 satellites provide a sky-high view of how much those storms have filled some of California’s largest reservoirs.

https://www.sfchronicle.com/california/article/storm-water-reservoir-images-17782241.php

[central scrutinizer]

1. And the white reservoir (snowpack) is way above normal

https://wcc.sc.egov.usda.gov/reports/UpdateReport.html;jsessionid=BVUQFvDBmwN2Kqq20w1-iGg-7n7kE95abD3Xn3nU.nrcsprd0383?report=California/Nevada&format=SNOTEL+Snowpack+Update+Report

Which will help fill these reservoirs even more come spring

[Auggie]

2. +1 ...

More snow/rain supposedly coming next week, too.

[wryter2000]

4. Mighty good numbers there

[wryter2000]

3. When it happened

I heard supposed experts on the TV and radio saying the rain had come too early to do any good. At the time, I didn't see how that was possible. Maybe I was right.

[Phoenix61]

5. To water spring crops naturally? nt

[Mr.Bill]

6. The biggest thing that could go wrong now

is if a really strong and fast warming trend came along and melted the snow quicker than the rivers and streams can drain it away. This could cause major flooding. I've been here over 60 years and I've seen it happen a few times.

[Sucha NastyWoman]

7. That's a beautiful sight.

Water is such a treasure.

[intrepidity]

8. Music to my eyes

Those storms were brutal, so it's a relief to see it wasn't for naught.

[blue-wave]

9. The tan ring around the lakes

appears to show the reservoirs close to full capacity. If so, very good news.

[Warpy]

10. They don't loook anywhere near full, but it's good to see some water in them

At least there will be drinking water, even if the lawns stay brown.

ETA: the Elephant Butte Reservoir here in NM is now 13.9% full. Last summer, when the Rio Grande ran completely dry, it was 3.8% full. I hope that's our driest year, a lot of local ag depends on the Rio Grande, not to mention tribes getting their own water supply.

[BlueWaveNeverEnd]

11. wonderful