Folsom Lake Levels Nearly Double What They Were In 2014
FOLSOM, Calif. (CBS13) - Folsom Lake has nearly double the water it had at the same time last year, and people are already out enjoying it. But things could quickly change. What could this mean for recreation on the lake this summer?
It's a far cry from more than a year ago when people were walking on the lake's floor. Today is a milestone of sorts as lake levels are actually right where they're supposed to be.
"It's beautiful to see water instead of dry rock and the Old Folsom town," said lake visitor Cher Connor.
For Connor and her friend, it's a far cry from the Folsom Lake they saw last time.
"When we were here about a year and a half ago, we walked all the way to the middle of the dam. It was so dry. So we came out today because we wanted to see what it looked like," said Connor.
And it's looking good. In fact, today Folsom lake hit a level it hasn't in two years: The lake is at about 100 percent of normal, meaning the lake levels are where they should be, despite the ongoing drought.
"Inflows are up and storage is up as well. We've been up maybe about nine feet since the beginning of the rain event last week," said Bureau of Reclamation spokesperson Drew Lessard.
Despite the rain last week, officials are not quite ready to change tactics by keeping as much water in the lake as possible - even with more snow melt on its way.
"We're still in active management for conservation. I think we're still well in a drought situation here for the Central Valley," said Lessard.
Still, Lessard says this year recreation like boating and steady fishing will likely finally return.
Over at Brothers Boats, owner Gene Moynier has noticed the hit to business with fewer people wanting to head out onto the water.
"Because I'm so close, we're kind of bonded to the lake, so the effect on us is probably a little bit more," said Moynier.
This year however, water levels will likely be higher than 400 feet. Why is that important? Boaters can have fun at speeds over 5 mph.
"I think it's going to give us a more positive environment for what we do, which is selling boats," said Moynier.
And snow on the mountains is the promise of more water to come.
The next question will be how long the recreation season will be? That also will depend on conservation and Mother Nature.
