25 replies to this topic

[Sandman]

Does anyone know what it got down to and roughly the date it hit its lowest?

[ducky]

The lowest I found for 2014 was 357.20 on 1/30/14.  The highest in 2014 was 425.17 on 5/16/14.

For the same 1/30 date for 2015 the level was at 409.72.

The highest for 2015 so far was on 4/28/15 at 425.87.

 

On this same date last year the lake level was 402.14.

Today we have probably hit 374 something.

[JohhnyCash]

You can select an plot multiple years.  1977 being the lowest level.

 

http://cdec.water.ca...ction?resid=FOL

[folsom500]

The lowest I found for 2014 was 357.20 on 1/30/14.  The highest in 2014 was 425.17 on 5/16/14.

For the same 1/30 date for 2015 the level was at 409.72.

The highest for 2015 so far was on 4/28/15 at 425.87.

 

On this same date last year the lake level was 402.14.

Today we have probably hit 374 something.

Where do you find this information ? 

While some of the numbers match the link that JC posted (by changing the date in the upper portion) others do not... such as 4/28/15 shows 577.381 AF and yesterday 8/15 - shows 233.525 AF.  Maybe I am reading it wrong or looking at the wrong info as I have never used that site before.

 

I am interested in find out as I want to start recording it on my walk/ hike log...

[ducky]

Where do you find this information ? 

While some of the numbers match the link that JC posted (by changing the date in the upper portion) others do not... such as 4/28/15 shows 577.381 AF and yesterday 8/15 - shows 233.525 AF.  Maybe I am reading it wrong or looking at the wrong info as I have never used that site before.

 

I am interested in find out as I want to start recording it on my walk/ hike log...

 

You are reading it exactly right.  I was posting elevation levels.  The acre feet of water is also listed, such as the 233,525 yesterday.

For example for the corresponding dates I listed above the acre feet (AF) levels were 1/30/14 - 163,108.

5/15/14 - 571,356

 

I wonder what the comparison would be if you added up the outflows from 2013 and 2014.  In other words, with all the conserving people are doing, did more water actually stay in the lake?

 

Here's where I got that info.

cdec.water.ca.gov/cgi-progs/queryDaily?FOL

[4thgenFolsomite]

Lots of good info. Bottom line...is it lower for this time of year than it has ever been before and is it expected to be lower than it has ever been before this fall? Sure looks like it.

[ducky]

Of course it's lower.

I did a quick ten-key of outflow and inflows for the dates of 1/1/14 to 8/16/14 and the same dates for 2015.

 

2014 inflow was 403,449

2014 outflow was 286,230

 

2015 inflow was 243,485

2015 outflow was 358,959

[4thgenFolsomite]

so not just lower, but lowest its ever been for this date.

[folsom500]

Actually that data says it has been lower- especially in 1977 (and of course the year they started to fill i t:) ) 

 

I still have not figured out how to use the site correctly but trying.

[Sandman]

Look like we will pass 1977 figures before long.  Early/mid September if the current slope continues.  Water demand and thus outflows look like they were much lower at that time.  Lake is currently dropping at a much faster rate than it was in 77

[ghost35me]

Assuming we don't see any significant rainfall anytime soon, at what AF is the lake effectively depleted as a water source?

 

And what happens at that point? No more running water? People have to (temporarily) move?

[folsom500]

Why does the inflow vary so much by hour ?  one would think it would be fixed to diminishing unless there are upstream dams that vary in their outflow... Or is this just a variation based on the method of measurement ?

[ducky]

Why does the inflow vary so much by hour ?  one would think it would be fixed to diminishing unless there are upstream dams that vary in their outflow... Or is this just a variation based on the method of measurement ?

 

I'm not sure.  I don't really count on the hourly numbers as they are all over the place. 

[4thgenFolsomite]

it could have something to do with upstream releases to the Sacramento River.  It could be related to hydroelectric generation needs in Folsom Powerhouse. 

[ducky]

Assuming we don't see any significant rainfall anytime soon, at what AF is the lake effectively depleted as a water source?

 

And what happens at that point? No more running water? People have to (temporarily) move?

 

There have been several articles about at what level the lake becomes a "dead pool."  One article said just below 100,000 acre feet.  They are hoping it doesn't get below 120,000 acre feet this year.  I think if it gets below that or to 330 feet  they will need the barge to supply Folsom and the prison and maybe some other areas.  The level today is down to 373 feet.

 

They will use the barge to keep the water running.  No one would have to temporarily move.

If the barge doesn't work, then I suppose they could truck water in and we'd all have to stand in line with containers?

 

Add:  Found this on the "Drought Update" from Cal OES dated 8/10/15:

 

   "Folsom Reservoir recorded 262,874 AF on August 6 with a 10-day average reduction in storage of 3,799 AF/day.  Releases are higher than normal to help make up for reduced flows out of Shasta.  Folsom Reservoir is projected to reach 120,000 AF by the end of September.  This is lower than the 1976-77 record low storage of 150,000 AF."