Wednesday Top of the Scroll: California just experienced a ‘miracle’ water year. But winter could bring new challenges
The typically parched, brown hills above Los Angeles are a vibrant shade of green — a rarity for early October. In state parks, waterfalls and rivers that were vastly reduced are now gushing with water. And in Lake Oroville, boats float on deep blue water that only a year ago was shrinking toward record lows. The transformed landscape is the result of a remarkable California water year that saw 141% of average rainfall statewide, officials announced this week. … But with abundance comes risk: Forecasters are warning of another potentially wet winter fueled by El Niño, which could bring levee breaches and flooding to the state once again.
Related articles:
- Bloomberg: California water supplies are still brimming as El Niño looms
- Courthouse News: California prepares for El Niño winter after a year of extreme heat and floods
- CBS – San Francisco: After historic winter, California water officials say systems in good shape for next rainy season
- U.S. Bureau of Reclamation: News release – Central Valley Project: Well-positioned for 2024 water year
- KOAA – Southern Colorado: This winter’s El Nino is projected to be strong
