As California heads into its dry season, its major reservoirs are in good shape, with statewide storage on Friday estimated to be 20% above normal for this time of year. Robust rainfall in April has given a slight boost in places — especially welcome after an unusually dry March. The state’s overall water outlook remains complicated, however. The Sierra snowpack, which effectively functions as a frozen reservoir, is far below normal. The Colorado River system, which is critical for Southern California’s water supply, is also struggling amid a deepening drought and below-average snowfall in the Rocky Mountains. … The largest reservoir in California, Shasta Lake, was at 91% of total capacity through Thursday, which is 9% above its historical average.

Other California reservoir news:

• Active NorCal (Redding, Calif.): Northern California reservoirs are stacked heading into the dry season
• My Mother Lode (Murphys, Calif.): BOR updates New Melones Lake spring and summer operations
• California Department of Water Resources: Blog: Lake Oroville update