Lake Shasta, California’s largest reservoir, is nearing capacity after a series of wet winters have alleviated much of the state’s drought. As of Tuesday, the lake’s water levels were at 96 percent capacity, putting it at 116 percent of its historical average. The lake still has nearly 6 feet to rise before it reaches capacity, a level that hasn’t been reached within the past five years.
The dramatic recovery in Lake Shasta’s water levels is a welcome sight for Californians who have endured years of drought. In the summer of 2022, several reservoirs in the state reached concerningly low water levels. However, an abnormally wet winter last year replenished the lakes, and a similarly wet winter this year has brought a deluge of rain to the state.
The snowpack, which provides 30 percent of California’s water supply, began melting this month, and reservoirs are in a much-improved condition elsewhere in the state. Cachuma Lake and Lake Casitas in Southern California are both at capacity. Lake Oroville, New Bullards Bar Reservoir, and Lake Camanche are all over 90 percent of capacity. Officials even had to conduct releases earlier this winter after levels neared capacity following several moisture-laden storms.
While it’s unlikely that Lake Shasta will reach full capacity, the significant change over the past 18 months is a testament to the power of nature and the importance of water conservation. Californian Lisa Conroy, who visited the lake last week, said, “Because she’s full and she’s beautiful. This is a blessing. This is fantastic. This is a gift of nature, to have all this rainfall that we’ve had for the last two winters to refill this reservoir.”
