The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers has approved a plan to refill Truckee reservoirs early. The approved plan would temporarily modify operations at Prosser Creek, Stampede and Boca dams. The change is considered a major deviation from the 1985 Truckee Basin Water Control Manual, and allows reservoirs to begin refilling in mid-March, around a month earlier than usual. The Bureau of Reclamation says the earlier refills enable the capture of additional spring runoff without increasing flood risk under current conditions. They say that as a result, reservoirs are more likely to fill completely, or to reach higher levels than under standard operations. 

Other California dam and reservoir news:

• Manteca Bulletin (Calif.): SSJID pursuing $192M plan to assure water keeps flowing to farms and 215,000 people
• Folsom Times (Calif.): Folsom Dam hits 70: A milestone for the region and the city it shaped
• U.S. Bureau of Reclamation: News release: Reclamation refills Truckee reservoirs early to improve water operations
• Redheaded Blackbelt (Susanville, Calif.): Editorial: Terry’s take on the back and forth over taking out the dammed spot