David E. Ross wrote:
As of 1 November, the 12 "key reservoirs" in California held only 23% of
their combined capacity. The average content as of that date is 56% of
capacity.

At this time of year, the reservoirs are normally low, waiting for the
spring and summer snow-melt to refill them. However, they currently
hold less than half the amount of water that they would normally hold.

Precipitation in the first month of the current rain-year -- which
started 1 October -- was below average at 16 weather stations. Two
stations were above average. Yosemite had 3.21 inches in October, 60%
above average; this should help the water supply for San Francisco.
Death Valley had 1.08 inches in October, more than 15 times the average
for the month.

i keep following the news and radars as the whole
system and situation are interesting.

the few recent storms that have gone through have
left the snow pack in the mountains above average and
they've opens ski resorts in some places early. this
is good and a welcome start to what may be a very
interesting time.

i also notice any mentions of rain water capture
projects that are being funded and put into place,
but really the entire state should be out en mass
putting in swales, seeps and sinks to capture rains
as much as possible. sure beats sitting around and
feeling like little can be done... some farmers
are ahead of the game and have already changed
their fields to act as ground water sinks if the
El Nino comes through.

if you need the inspiration go looking for John
Liu's movies about China's Loess Plateau and other
movies about wide scale landscape restoration
efforts around the world. they work if the people
will get out and do it.


songbird