Flood Watch Issued Along Sacramento River as Keswick Dam Flows Increase
As the rain continues to pour down on Northern California, officials are needing to make difficult decisions regarding water storage in the area. This week, the Department of Water Resources released water on the brand-new Oroville Dame spillway for the first time since 2017, sending water at up to 60,000 cubic feet per second down the Feather River.
Now the Sacramento River is seeing similar high water marks as officials increased flows on the Keswick Dam to 30,000 cfs, and it’s causing flood concerns in Redding.
The increased releases are necessary to meet flood space regulatory requirements within Shasta Reservoir. Depending on current conditions and inflow levels, operational adjustments will be made as necessary and may occur on short notice.
Parts of Park Marina Drive in Redding, known to flood during high-water years, could see water rising to street levels this weekend. Businesses are already preparing for the worst, with Aqua Golf closed in anticipation of flooding.
A Flash Flood Watch has been issued in the NorCal valley, and officials are especially keeping their eyes on the burn scars of the Carr, Delta and Hirz Fires.
Rain is expected in the area all weekend through Monday. Travel could be affected, especially in high-elevation areas, where up to 2-feet of snow is expected to fall.
Can we get some sunshine anytime soon?