Folsom Dam Releasing Water At Rates Not Seen Since 2012
FOLSOM LAKE (CBS13) — A wet March is creating a sight that hasn't been seen at Folsom Dam since 2012.
Water was released from the dam's spillway gates, flowing toward the American River. Three of them were open on Monday, releasing up to 8,000 cubic feet per second.
It's a sight 4-year-old Tate Mcaninch has never seen, because the last time the Bureau of Reclamation released anywhere near this much water was in 2012.
Spokesman Shane Hunt says the water has to be released to give new rain a place to go, especially with more storms looming in the next week.
"Otherwise, we'd totally fill the reservoir in the next 10 days," he said.
Folsom Lake has risen from 14 percent capacity in December to 68 percent.
"That's a big difference," he said.
While the rising lake water is a sight to see for many families, officials are keeping safe water levels their No. 1 priority.
"If the forecast plays out as we're seeing it right now, I would suspect that we'll increase again pretty soon," he said.
