Heavy Rain Causes Overspill in California Lake After 20 Years of Drought

Due to the massive amount of heavy rain that is approaching, a California lake is expected to overspill for the first time in more than 20 years.

Beginning in December 2022, Lopez Lake in San Luis Obispo County, which is located 10 miles east of Arroyo Grande, was operating at 22% of its maximum capacity, which was only a little over the historic low.

However, it is currently operating at well over 90% of its capacity, and experts anticipate an imminent overflow.

After 25 years, the lake wouldn't have spilled until now, according to KEYT.

According to the news source, the lake is measuring its highest water level since 2012.

According to Brian Wilder via Newsweek, Lopez Lake's supervisory park ranger, the spillway is about 522 feet, at which point water will begin to flow over it.

Lopez Lake has risen by about 25% in the past week, which is remarkable considering how slowly it typically fills.

Heavy Rain and Overspill

According to Wilder, all of the waterways and creeks are flowing swiftly and heavily.

It is fast for the area of the lake, which normally moves at a rate of 0.1% every two hours.

From December 26 to January 19, California experienced a record-breaking amount of rainfall.

The winter season was marked by persistent rain.

Strong snowstorms hit the state at the end of February, even in places like Los Angeles that are accustomed to bone-dry conditions.

The state anticipates even more precipitation the following week, which is likely to result in Lake Lopez spilling.

There were other reservoirs in California besides Lopez Lake that had extremely low water levels.

The state has been suffering from a drought for the past 20 years.

This has largely been attributed to climate change by experts. The state's drought situation has significantly improved since the recent inundation of rain and snow.

The reservoirs of the state were in terrible shape before the rain. However, many have recently been replenished.

Over 20 Years of Drought

Much of California is experiencing exceptional or extreme drought in September 2022, according to the US Drought Monitor.

Smaller areas of the state experienced a moderate or abnormally dry drought, while the majority of the state was experiencing a severe drought.

On February 28, after a blizzard and significant rainfall swept the state, the situation was very different.

Today, the majority of the state is considered abnormally dry. A few minor areas are experiencing a moderate-to-severe drought.

But more work needs to be done before the drought in California is over entirely.

It is important to remind people that asking if the drought is over might not be the right question, according to hydrologist and distinguished professor of engineering Roger Bales at the University of California Merced.

Locals are eager for wet weather, the expert added.

Bales explained that California's precipitation is a series of average to dry years interspersed with fewer wet years.

Then, to obtain a much more variable runoff amount, subtract a fixed amount from each annual precipitation amount, Newsweek reported.