Rainstorms Wash Away Drought in More than 90 Percent of California
At this time last year, 95 percent of California was in some type of drought during a five-year dry spell
By Jonathan Lloyd and Associated Press ••
This week's U.S. Drought Monitor report shows more improvement in California, where winter rainstorms and heavy snowfall have washed away drought in more of the state after a five-year dry spell.
Just three months ago, more than 73 percent of California was in drought, but that number has dropped to 9 percent after this winter's powerful storms, according to the weekly Drought Monitor report released Thursday.
Last week, 17 percent of the state was in some type of drought, according to the Monitor, but conditions improved after more precipitation during one of California's wettest winters in years.
Two or more inches of precipitation was reported on parts of the Northern California coast, the Sierra Nevada range and in San Diego County over the last week. The report noted improved conditions in the San Joaquin Valley, the coastal range to Santa Barbara County and Southern California.
"Basically, 95 percent of California was in some form of drought at this time last year," said NBC4 forecaster Crystal Egger. "It's incredible progress. We've had a fantastic season."
Santa Barbara County's Lake Cachuma, which has been slow to recover from the dry spell, was a 45 percent to capacity compared to 42 percent one week ago. The area northwest of Los Angeles and extreme southeastern California are the only parts of the state still in severe drought this week, accoding to the Drought Monitor.
The report comes a day after water resource managers said the Sierra Nevada snowpack is close to setting records notched more than three decades ago.
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These composite images show California's dramatic change from 2014 to 2017, when winter storms brought historic rainfall to drought-stricken areas.
California Department of Water Resources
An aerial view of Brown's Ravine Marina at Folsom Lake in El Dorado County, California on Nov. 1, 2017. Kelly M. Grow/ California Department of Water Resources
California Department of Water Resources
An aerial view of Brown's Ravine Marina located on the south shore of Folsom Lake in El Dorado County, California. The lake was at 78 percent of total capacity or 109 percent of historical capacity. Photo taken on April 21, 2017. Kelly M. Grow/ California Department of WaternResources
California Department of Water Resources
An aerial view of Folsom Lake at 78 percent of total capacity or 109 percent of historical capacity. Photo taken on April 21, 2017. Kelly M. Grow/ California Department of WaternResources
California Department of Water Resources
A view from the Lake Oroville flood control spillway looking east over the lake waters at an elevation 810.80 feet. Photo taken July 10, 2017. Dale Kolke / California Department of Water Resources, FOR EDITORIAL USE ONLY
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In this composite image a comparison has been made between a view of California during severe drought in 2014 (top) and during the week that the majority of the state's drought emergency is due to be lifted (bottom).
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In this composite image a comparison has been made between a view of California during severe drought in 2014 (top) and during the week that the majority of the state's drought emergency is due to be lifted (bottom).
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In this composite image a comparison has been made between a view of California during severe drought in 2014 (top) and during the week that the majority of the state's drought emergency is due to be lifted (bottom).
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In this composite image a comparison has been made between a view of California during severe drought in 2014 (top) and during the week that the majority of the state's drought emergency is due to be lifted (bottom).
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In this composite image a comparison has been made between a view of California during severe drought in 2014 (top) and during the week that the majority of the state's drought emergency is due to be lifted (bottom).
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In this composite image a comparison has been made between a view of California during severe drought in 2014 (top) and during the week that the majority of the state's drought emergency is due to be lifted (bottom).
AP
Frank Gehrke, chief of the California Cooperative Snow Surveys Program for the Department of Water Resources, crosses a snow covered meadow after conducting the second manual snow survey of the season at at Phillips Station Thursday, Feb. 2, 2017, near Echo Summit, Calif. (AP Photo/Rich Pedroncelli)
AP
Fog and mist shroud the Sierra Nevada, Thursday, Feb. 2, 2017, near Echo Summit, Calif. The California Department of Water Resources held the second manual snow survey Thursday at nearby Phillips station. The results -- way above average snowpack with a statewide reading of 173 percent of normal.
AP
Frank Gehrke, right, chief of the California Cooperative Snow Surveys Program for the Department of Water Resources, checks the depth of the snowpack as he conducts the second manual snow survey of the season at Phillips Station, Thursday, Feb. 2, 2017, near Echo Summit, Calif. (AP Photo/Rich Pedroncelli)
AP
Snow covered mountain tops rise behind downtown Los Angeles from Kenneth Hahn State Recreation Area in Los Angeles, Wednesday, Jan. 25, 2017. After years of drought and barren slopes, skiers and boarders have a bonanza of snow at resorts from the Sierra Nevada to the mountain ranges of Southern California following a barrage of storms. (AP Photo/Richard Vogel)
Kelly M. Grow/California Department of Water Resources
Lake Oroville's concrete launch ramp at Bidwell Canyon on Jan. 25, 2017. Below, the Bidwell Canyon launch ramp at Lake Oroville on Jan. 11, 2016.
AP
Mountain tops East of Los Angeles are covered with snow seen from Los Angeles, Tuesday, Jan. 24, 2017. After years of drought and barren slopes, skiers and boarders have a bonanza of snow at resorts from the Sierra Nevada to the mountain ranges of Southern California following a barrage of storms. East of Los Angeles, the Bear Mountain-Snow Summit resorts report their largest January total, 70 inches, while Mountain High says the latest storm dropped the most snow in five years. (AP Photo/Richard Vogel)
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Photos show Oroville Lake in January 2017 (top) and October 2014 in Butte County.
AP
These photos show snow surveys being conducted near Echo Summit, California on Jan. 3, 2017 (top) and April 1, 2015. The surveys measure California's snowpack, a vital source of water for the state when snow melts and runs off as water into reservoirs.
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Water pours down a spillway out of Nicasio Reservoir on January 12, 2017 in Nicasio, California. According to the U.S. Drought Monitor, 40 percent of California is no longer in drought following a series of wet winter storms that dumped over 20 inches of rain and 12 feet of snow in the northern part of the State. 60 percent of California still remains in drought. Marin County reservoirs are currently at 100 percent of capacity. (Photo by Justin Sullivan/Getty Images)
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Nicasio Reservoir stands at 100 percent of capacity on January 12, 2017 in Nicasio, California.
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Phoenix Lake stands at 100 percent of capacity on January 12, 2017 in Greenbrae, California.
AP
In this Wednesday, Jan. 11, 2017, photo, Briones Reservoir is seen near capacity in Orinda, Calif. More than 40 percent of California has emerged from a punishing drought that covered the whole state a year ago, federal drought-watchers said Thursday, Jan. 12, a stunning transformation caused by an unrelenting series of storms in the North that filled lakes, overflowed rivers and buried mountains in snow. (AP Photo/Ben Margot)
AP
In this Jan. 11, 2017, file photo, a rainbow is seen over a flooded landscape in Hollister, Calif. More than 40 percent of California has emerged from a punishing drought that covered the whole state a year ago, federal drought-watchers said Thursday, Jan. 12, a stunning transformation caused by an unrelenting series of storms in the North that filled lakes, overflowed rivers and buried mountains in snow. (AP Photo/Marcio Jose Sanchez, File)
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Low water levels are visible at Lake Oroville on May 7, 2015 in Oroville, California.
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Houseboats in the Bidwell Canyon Marina are dwarfed by the steep banks of Lake Oroville on May 7, 2015 in Oroville, California.
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BIGGS, CA - MAY 08: A bi-plane from Williams Ag Service drops rice seeds on a field on May 8, 2015 in Biggs, California. As California enters its fourth year of severe drought, a lack of water has rice farmers are cutting back on their annual plantings which has left many crop dusting and seed planting operations with half of the work as normal. According to the California Rice Commission, 434,000 acres of rice were planted in 2014 compared to 567,000 in the previous year. (Photo by Justin Sullivan/Getty Images)
California Department of Water Resources
The land sank so much at this location at the Delta-Mendota Canal that this bridge now nearly touches the water on Wednesday, Aug. 19, 2015.
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A sign referencing the drought is posted next to a fallow field on April 24, 2015 in Lemoore, California. As California enters its fourth year of severe drought, farmers in the Central Valley are struggling to keep crops watered as wells run dry and government water allocations have been reduced or terminated. Many have opted to leave acres of their fields fallow. (Photo by Justin Sullivan/Getty Images)
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The California Aqueduct passes through the Dos Amigos pumping plant on April 24, 2015 in Los Banos, California. As California enters its fourth year of severe drought, farmers in the Central Valley are struggling to keep crops watered as wells run dry and government water allocations have been reduced or terminated. Many have opted to leave acres of their fields fallow. (Photo by Justin Sullivan/Getty Images)
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An irrigation canal stands dry on April 24, 2015 in Stratford, California. As California enters its fourth year of severe drought, small Central Valley farming towns are struggling to survive and are experiencing dwindling populations as farms scale back operations and lay off workers due to lack of water to irrigate crops. (Photo by Justin Sullivan/Getty Images)
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Low water levels are visible at Hensley Lake on April 23, 2015 in Raymond, California. As California enters its fourth year of severe drought, the State's reservoirs are shrinking due to lack of Sierra snow pack and very little rain. Hensley Lake is currently at 8 percent of its 90,000 acre feet capacity. (Photo by Justin Sullivan/Getty Images)
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Water level markers stand on what used to be the bottom of Hensley Lake on April 23, 2015 in Raymond, California. As California enters its fourth year of severe drought, the State's reservoirs are shrinking due to lack of Sierra snow pack and very little rain. Hensley Lake is currently at 8 percent of its 90,000 acre feet capacity. (Photo by Justin Sullivan/Getty Images)
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A sign for the 'Brown is the New Green' campaign is posted at the Marina Green on April 21, 2015 in San Francisco, California. As California enters its fourth year of severe drought, the San Francisco Public Utilities Commision has launched the 'Brown is the New Green' campaign that encourages to residents to save water and let their lawns go brown. (Photo by Justin Sullivan/Getty Images)
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ZL Construction worker Raul Buenrostro (R) bails water out from a pool as co-worker Alex Hernandez (L) prepare to operate a jackhammer during the demolition of a swimming pool at an apartment complex on April 8, 2015 in Hayward, California. As California enters its fourth year of severe drought, some California residents are opting to have their home swimming pools removed as they face a mandatory 25 percent reduction in water use. (Photo by Justin Sullivan/Getty Images)
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California Governor Jerry Brown accompanies Frank Gehrke, chief of snow surveys for the California Department of Water Resources, as he conducts a manual snow survey April 1, 2015 in Phillips, California. The recorded level is zero, the lowest in recorded history for California. Gov. Brown went on to announce mandatory statewide water restrictions. (Photo by Max Whittaker/Getty Images)
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A buoy stands on dry ground that used to be the bottom of the Camanche Reservoir on August 8, 2014 in Ione, California.
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Low water levels are visible at Lake McClure on March 24, 2015 in La Grange, California. More than 3,000 residents in the Sierra Nevada foothill community of Lake Don Pedro who rely on water from Lake McCLure could potentially run out of water in the near future if the severe drought continues. Lake McClure is currently at 7 percent of its normal capacity and residents are under mandatory 50 percent water use restrictions. (Photo by Justin Sullivan/Getty Images)
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A power boat sits on a trailer in a parking lot that used to be under water at Lake McClure on March 24, 2015 in La Grange, California. More than 3,000 residents in the Sierra Nevada foothill community of Lake Don Pedro who rely on water from Lake McCLure could potentially run out of water in the near future if the severe drought continues. Lake McClure is currently at 7 percent of its normal capacity and residents are under mandatory 50 percent water use restrictions. (Photo by Justin Sullivan/Getty Images)
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A section of the Barrett Bridge that was demolished after the Yosemite Valley Railraod went out of service in 1945 is visible as Lake McClure water levels decline on March 24, 2015 in La Grange, California. More than 3,000 residents in the Sierra Nevada foothill community of Lake Don Pedro who rely on water from Lake McCLure could run out of water in the near future if the severe drought continues. Lake McClure is currently at 7 percent of its normal capacity and residents are under mandatory 50 percent water use restrictions. (Photo by Justin Sullivan/Getty Images)
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A boom lays on what used to be the bottom of Lake McClure at the Exchequer Dam on March 24, 2015 in Snelling, California. More than 3,000 residents in the Sierra Nevada foothill community of Lake Don Pedro who rely on water from Lake McCLure could run out of water in the near future if the severe drought continues. Lake McClure is currently at 7 percent of its normal capacity and residents are under mandatory 50 percent water use restrictions. (Photo by Justin Sullivan/Getty Images)
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Water depth markers stand on a section of Lake Don Pedro that used to be under water on March 24, 2015 in La Grange, California. More than 3,000 residents in the Sierra Nevada foothill community of Lake Don Pedro who rely on water from Lake McCLure could run out of water in the near future if the severe drought continues. Lake McClure is currently at 7 percent of its normal capacity and residents are under mandatory 50 percent water use restrictions. (Photo by Justin Sullivan/Getty Images)
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Crews try to pull a houseboat out of the low waters of Lake McClure on March 24, 2015 in La Grange, California. More than 3,000 residents in the Sierra Nevada foothill community of Lake Don Pedro who rely on water from Lake McCLure could run out of water in the near future if the severe drought continues. Lake McClure is currently at 7 percent of its normal capacity and residents are under mandatory 50 percent water use restrictions. (Photo by Justin Sullivan/Getty Images)
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Signs with instructions for boaters remain in a completely dry section of Lake McClure on March 24, 2015 in Coulterville, California. More than 3,000 residents in the Sierra Nevada foothill community of Lake Don Pedro who rely on water from Lake McCLure could run out of water in the near future if the severe drought continues. Lake McClure is currently at 7 percent of its normal capacity and residents are under mandatory 50 percent water use restrictions. (Photo by Justin Sullivan/Getty Images)
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Houseboats are dwarfed by the steep banks of Shasta Lake at Holiday Harbor on August 30, 2014 in Lakehead, California. As the severe drought in California continues for a third straight year, water levels in the State's lakes and reservoirs is reaching historic lows. Shasta Lake is currently near 30 percent of its total capacity, the lowest it has been since 1977. (Photo by Justin Sullivan/Getty Images)
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A footbridge spans a completely dry river bed on September 4, 2014 in Porterville, California. Over 300 homes in the California central valley city of Porterville have been without running water for weeks after their wells dried up due to the severe drought. County officials and charitable organizations are providing drinking water and non-potable water to use to wash dishes and bathe. (Photo by Justin Sullivan/Getty Images)
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In this before-and-after composite image, (Top) Full water levels are visible in the Bidwell Marina at Lake Oroville on on July 20, 2011 in Oroville, California. (Photo by Paul Hames/California Department of Water Resources via Getty Images) OROVILLE, CA - AUGUST 19: (Bottom) Low water levels are visible in the Bidwell Marina at Lake Oroville on August 19, 2014 in Oroville, California. As the severe drought in California continues for a third straight year, water levels in the State's lakes and reservoirs is reaching historic lows. Lake Oroville is currently at 32 percent of its total 3,537,577 acre feet. (Photo by Justin Sullivan/Getty Images)
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In this before-and-after composite image, (Top) The Enterprise Bridge passes over full water levels at a section of Lake Oroville on July 20, 2011 in Oroville, California. (Photo by Paul Hames/California Department of Water Resources via Getty Images) OROVILLE, CA - AUGUST 19: (Bottom) The Enterprise Bridge passes over a section of Lake Oroville that is nearly dry on August 19, 2014 in Oroville, California. As the severe drought in California continues for a third straight year, water levels in the State's lakes and reservoirs is reaching historic lows. Lake Oroville is currently at 32 percent of its total 3,537,577 acre feet. (Photo by Justin Sullivan/Getty Images)
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A windmill stands in an unplanted field on September 5, 2014 in Chowchilla, California. As California suffers through a third straight year of drought, the state's reservoirs are at record lows and a large number of fields in the central valley sit unplanted. (Photo by Justin Sullivan/Getty Images)
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Low water levels are visible from a boat ramp at the San Luis Reservoir on September 5, 2014 in Gustine, California. As California suffers through a third straight year of drought, the state's reservoirs are at record lows and a large number of fields in the central valley sit unplanted. (Photo by Justin Sullivan/Getty Images)
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Bridges span a dry inlet of Shasta Lake on August 30, 2014 in Lakehead, California. As the severe drought in California continues for a third straight year, water levels in the State's lakes and reservoirs is reaching historic lows. Shasta Lake is currently near 30 percent of its total capacity, the lowest it has been since 1977. (Photo by Justin Sullivan/Getty Images)
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A canal cuts through unplanted fields on August 22, 2014 in Firebaugh, California. As the severe California drought continues for a third straight year, Central California farming communites are struggling to survive with an unemployment rate nearing 40 percent in the towns of Mendota and Firebaugh. With limited supplies of water available to water crops, farmers are leaving acres of farmland unplanted and are having to lay off or reduce the hours of laborers. (Photo by Justin Sullivan/Getty Images)
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Boaters launch their boats hundreds of yards away from designated boat ramps at Folsom Lake on August 19, 2014 in Folsom, California. As the severe drought in California continues for a third straight year, water levels in the State's lakes and reservoirs is reaching historic lows. Folsom Lake is currently at 40 percent of its total capacity of 977,000 acre feet. (Photo by Justin Sullivan/Getty Images)
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The Folsom South Canal flows through unplanted farms on August 19, 2014 in Mather, California. As the severe drought in California continues for a third straight year, water levels in the State's lakes and reservoirs is reaching historic lows. (Photo by Justin Sullivan/Getty Images)
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A paddleboarder floats on the waters of Shasta Lake at Holiday Harbor on August 30, 2014 in Lakehead, California. As the severe drought in California continues for a third straight year, water levels in the State's lakes and reservoirs is reaching historic lows.
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Low water levels are visible from a boat ramp at the San Luis Reservoir on September 5, 2014 in Gustine, California
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Boat docks at Browns Ravine sit on dry ground at Folsom Lake on August 19, 2014 in El Dorado Hills, California. As the severe drought in California continues for a third straight year, water levels in the State's lakes and reservoirs is reaching historic lows.
USGS
Lake Shasta in north-central California is pictured in February 2014.
USGS
A portion of the Tuolumne River, which flows from the Sierra Nevada to the San Joaquin River in California's Central Valley.
USGS
Trinity Lake, located in north-central California, is pictured in February 2014.
USGS
Folsom Lake is pictured in January 2014.
Stephanie Cantrell Metz via Facebook
A now-faded “no swimming” sign is still visible at Uvas Reservoir in Santa Clara County, Feb. 2014.
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A car sits in dried and cracked earth of what was the bottom of the Almaden Reservoir on Jan. 28, 2014, in San Jose, California. Now in its third straight year of drought conditions, California is experiencing its driest year on record, dating back 119 years, and reservoirs throughout the state have low water levels.
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A small pool of water is surrounded by dried and cracked earth that was the bottom of the Almaden Reservoir on Jan. 28, 2014 in San Jose, California. California Gov. Jerry Brown officially declared a drought emergency to speed up assistance to local governments, streamline water transfers and potentially ease environmental protection requirements for dam releases.
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Land is exposed by the extremely low water level of Lake Kaweah on Feb. 5, 2014, near Visalia, California. Grasslands that support cattle have dried up, forcing ranchers to feed them expensive supplemental hay to keep them from starving or to sell at least some of their herds, and farmers are struggling with diminishing crop water and what to plant or whether to tear out permanent crops which use water year-round such, as almond trees. About 17 rural communities could run out of drinking water and politicians are are pushing to undo laws that protect several endangered species.
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Chairs sit in dried and cracked earth that used to be the bottom of the Almaden Reservoir on Jan. 28, 2014 in San Jose, California.
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A dog hangs around an abandoned farmhouse on Feb. 6, 2014 near Bakersfield, California.
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The low water level of Morris Reservoir is seen on the backside of Morris Dam before dawn on the San Gabriel River in the Angeles National Forest on Jan. 22, 2014, near Azusa, California.
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Rocky shores are exposed by the low waters of San Gabriel Reservoir on the San Gabriel River in the Angeles National Forest on Jan. 22, 2014.
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The San Gabriel River winds through the dry upper reaches of San Gabriel Reservoir in the Angeles National Forest on Jan. 22, 2014.
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The sun shines over the dry upper reaches of San Gabriel Reservoir in the Angeles National Forest on Jan. 22, 2014.
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A stream of water cuts through the dry bottom of the Almaden Reservoir on Jan. 28, 2014, in San Jose, California.
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A cattle truck passes a sign near State Highway 99 that calls for water and drought management actions on Feb.6, 2014, north of Bakersfield, California.
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A worker with Better Than Real Artficial Lawns installs an artificial lawn in front of an apartment building on Jan. 30, 2014, in San Jose, California. Artificial lawns have emerged as a water saving alternative for Californians who have been asked to voluntarily reduce water by twenty percent as California is experiencing its driest year on record. Some counties have imposed mandatory reductions in water use and have banned watering of lawns.
It's all welcome news after five years of punishing drought, including the driest year in California's recorded history.
A series of storms that doused the state in the first two months of the year brought the water content of the snowpack up to a "pretty phenomenal" 185 percent of normal, well above the 84 percent of normal a year ago, said Frank Gehrke, the state's chief snow surveyor. Winter snowfall on the 400-mile mountain range provides roughly one-third of the water used in the nation's most populous state as the snow melts over the spring and summer and fills reservoirs supplying farmers and city dwellers.
Gehrke said the snowpack is nearing levels last seen in 1983. He noted that levels reached by April 1 are a key marker because that's the typical end to the wet season.
"We've busted through April 1 values pretty much at all snow courses throughout the state," Gehrke said.
California Department of Water Resources
The drought of 1976 caused low water conditions at Shasta Lake, California's largest reservoir. Visitors normally enjoy boating, swimming, fishing and camping at the Shasta County reservoir.
California Department of Water Resources
Low water drought conditions at the Bidwell Canyon Marina, at Lake Oroville in Butte County. Photo taken December 1976.
California Department of Water Resources
During the drought of 1976 a local business in Marin County in Northern California, placed a holiday sign asking for folks to pray for rain. Photo taken December 1976
California Department of Water Resources
Drought conditions exposed a cracked lakebed at the Nicasio Reservoir in Marin County. The Marin Municipal Water District erected Seeger Dam on Nicasio Creek in 1961, which created the shallow 845-acre reservoir in the Nicasio Valley, 26-miles north of San Francisco in Northern California. Photo taken December 1976.
Paul Weber / California Department of Water Resources
This aerial view looks south toward the low water drought conditions at Folsom Lake Marina, one of the largest inland in California, located at Browns Ravine Cove on the south shore of Folsom Lake. Photo taken October 6, 1976
California Department of Water Resources
The drought of 1976 caused low water conditions at Shasta Lake, California's largest reservoir. Operated by the U.S. Department of the Interior Bureau of Reclamation, Shasta Dam backs up water from the Sacramento River for more than 35 miles to form the lake and controls flood waters, while supplying water for irrigation, municipal and industrial use, wildlife habitat maintenance and power generation. Photo taken September 1976. California Department of Water Resources
California Department of Water Resources
Drought conditions along the South Fork American River near Salmon Falls within El Dorado County during the summer of 1977. Photo taken July 6, 1977. Vince Arrant / California Department of Water Resources
California Department of Water Resources
Drought conditions at Bass Lake in Madera County, California during the summer of 1977. Photo taken July 6, 1977. Vince Arrant / California Department of Water Resources
California Department of Water Resources
Drought conditions at Bass Lake in Madera County, California during the summer of 1977. Photo taken July 6, 1977. Vince Arrant / California Department of Water Resources
California Department of Water Resources
Drought conditions at Bass Lake in Madera County, California during the summer of 1977. Photo taken July 6, 1977. Vince Arrant / California Department of Water Resources
California Department of Water Resources
Low water drought conditions at Folsom Lake Marina, one of the largest inland marinas in California, located at Browns Ravine Cove on the south shore of Folsom Lake. Photo taken July 6, 1977. Vince Arrant / California Department of Water Resources
Vince Arrant / California Department of Water Resources
Low water drought conditions at Folsom Dam and Lake on November 17, 1977. Folsom Lake was created in 1955 by the construction of Folsom Dam, a concrete dam flanked by earth wing dams and dikes, with a total length of about nine miles. The shoreline extends about 15 miles up the forks of the American River. Lake level normally varies from 460 feet in early spring to less than 400 feet by summer.
Vince Arrant / California Department of Water Resources
Low water drought conditions at Folsom Dam and Lake on November 17, 1977. Folsom Lake was created in 1955 by the construction of Folsom Dam, a concrete dam flanked by earth wing dams and dikes, with a total length of about nine miles. The shoreline extends about 15 miles up the forks of the American River. Lake level normally varies from 460 feet in early spring to less than 400 feet by summer.
Vince Arrant / California Department of Water Resources
Low water drought conditions at Folsom Dam and Lake on November 17, 1977. Folsom Lake was created in 1955 by the construction of Folsom Dam, a concrete dam flanked by earth wing dams and dikes, with a total length of about nine miles. The shoreline extends about 15 miles up the forks of the American River. Lake level normally varies from 460 feet in early spring to less than 400 feet by summer. Vince Arrant / California Department of Water Resources
Paul Weber / California Department of Water Resources
This aerial view looks north over Indian Valley Reservoir in Lake County, during drought conditions. The six-mile long, one mile wide reservoir was completed 1975, with a gross capacity of 300,600 acre feet, part of the Yolo County Flood Control & Water Conservation District. Photo taken March 2, 1977.
Jim Wardlow / California Department of Water Resources
This aerial view during drought conditions exposed trees normally underwater at Shasta Lake. Shasta Dam and Lake are on Sacramento River and operated by the U.S. Bureau of Reclamation in Northern California. Photo taken May 20, 1977.
Norm Hughes / California Department of Water Resources
Low water drought conditions at Folsom Dam and Lake on November 10, 1988. Folsom Lake was created in 1955 by the construction of Folsom Dam, a concrete dam flanked by earth wing dams and dikes, with a total length of about nine miles. The shoreline extends about 15 miles up the forks of the American River.
Norm Hughes / California Department of Water Resources
Low water drought conditions at Folsom Dam and Lake on November 10, 1988. Folsom Lake was created in 1955 by the construction of Folsom Dam, a concrete dam flanked by earth wing dams and dikes, with a total length of about nine miles.
Robert Eplett / California Department of Water Resources
Low water drought conditions at Folsom Lake Marina, one of the largest inland marinas in California, located at Browns Ravine Cove on the south shore of Folsom Lake. Photo taken July 24, 1988.
Robert Eplett / California Department of Water Resources
Low water drought conditions at Sly Park Recreation Area and Jenkinson Lake in El Dorado County. Jenkinson Lake offers swimming, fishing and water skiing and paddle sports activities. The lake located in the Sierra Nevada foothills is surrounded by nine miles of trails for hikers, bikers and horses. Today, the lake is managed by the El Dorado Irrigation District. Photo taken July 24, 1988.
California Department of Water Resources
Low water drought conditions at Lake Cachuma located in the Santa Ynez Valley and the San Rafael Mountains in Santa Barbara County. The reservoir was formed from Bradbury Dam, which is connected to the Central Coast Water Authority pipeline that delivers water from the Coastal Branch Aqueduct of the California State Water Project. Photo taken September 1990.
Robert Eplett / California Department of Water Resources
Low water conditions during the drought of 1990 exposed rocks and a wider beach along the west shore of Lake Tahoe, at the mouth of the Truckee River in Tahoe City, California. Lake Tahoe at an elevation of 6,225 feet is a large freshwater lake within the Sierra Nevada Mountains that straddles the California and Nevada border. Photo taken August 23, 1990.
Robert Eplett / California Department of Water Resources
Low water conditions during the drought of 1990 exposed rocks under this pier on the west shore of Lake Tahoe, at the mouth of the Truckee River in Tahoe City, California. Lake Tahoe at an elevation of 6,225 feet is a large freshwater lake within the Sierra Nevada Mountains that straddles the California and Nevada border. Photo taken August 23, 1990.
Robert Eplett / California Department of Water Resources
Low water conditions during the drought of 1990 exposed rocks and a wider beach along the west shore of Lake Tahoe, at the mouth of the Truckee River in Tahoe City, California. Lake Tahoe at an elevation of 6,225 feet is a large freshwater lake within the Sierra Nevada Mountains that straddles the California and Nevada border. Photo taken August 23, 1990.
California Department of Water Resources
Drought conditions at Camanche Dam and Reservoir at the juncture of Amador, Calaveras, and San Joaquin counties. Photo taken April 11, 1991. Norm Hughes / California Department of Water Resources
California Department of Water Resources
This aerial view looks west toward the South Shore section, left, of the Camanche Reservoir during drought conditions in 1991. The dam and reservoir are location at the juncture of Amador, Calaveras, and San Joaquin counties. Photo taken April 11, 1991. Norm Hughes / California Department of Water Resources
California Department of Water Resources
This aerial view looks northeast toward the low water drought conditions at Folsom Dam and Lake on February 19, 1991. Folsom Lake was created in 1955 by the construction of Folsom Dam, a concrete dam flanked by earth wing dams and dikes, with a total length of about nine miles. The shoreline extends about 15 miles up the forks of the American River. Lake level normally varies from 460 feet in early spring to less than 400 feet by summer. Norm Hughes / California Department of Water Resources
California Department of Water Resources
This aerial view looks south over Indian Valley Reservoir in Lake County, with exposed trees during low-water drought conditions. The six-mile long, one mile wide reservoir was completed 1975, with a gross capacity of 300,600 acre feet, part of the Yolo County Flood Control & Water Conservation District. Photo taken February 14, 1991.
Stephen Payer / California Department of Water Resources
Low water drought conditions at the Folsom Lake Marina on Browns Ravine Cove on the east shore of Folsom Lake. The marina is one of the largest inland marinas in California. The Folsom Lake State Recreation Area offers hiking, running, camping, picnicking, horseback riding, water-skiing and boating, located in the Sierra Nevada foothills about 25 miles east of downtown Sacramento. Photo taken February 10, 1991.
California Department of Water Resources
Low water drought conditions at Folsom Lake exposed large boulders and other objects on the lakebed near this picnic area. Folsom Lake State Recreation Area offers hiking, running, camping, picnicking, horseback riding, water-skiing and boating, located in the Sierra Nevada foothills about 25 miles east of downtown Sacramento. Photo taken February 10, 1991.
California Department of Water Resources
Low water drought conditions at Folsom Lake exposed huge open spaces, which would be underwater during normal water levels. Photo taken February 10, 1991.
Stephen Payer / California Department of Water Resources
Low water drought conditions at Folsom Lake exposed large boulders on the lakebed. Photo taken February 10, 1991.
Stephen Payer / California Department of Water Resources
Low water drought conditions at the Folsom Lake Marina on Browns Ravine Cove on the south shore of Folsom Lake. Photo taken February 10, 1991.
Stephen Payer / California Department of Water Resources
Low water drought conditions at the Folsom Lake Marina on Browns Ravine Cove on the south shore of Folsom Lake. The marina is one of the largest inland marinas in California. Photo taken February 10, 1991.
California Department of Water Resources
During the drought of 1992, a group of pervasive Canada geese one of the best known birds in North America find a wetlands area with low water levels near Lake Tahoe in Northern California. Photo taken October 1992.
California Department of Water Resources
During the drought of 1992, the snow pack was nearly gone on Mount Shasta, located on the southern end of the Cascade Range in Siskiyou County. During wet winters, the mountaintops are covered in snow that melts in spring and help replenish California's water reservoirs. Photo taken in October 1992.
Stephen Payer / California Department of Water Resources
Low water drought conditions at Folsom Lake on October 20, 2008. Folsom Lake was created in 1955 by the construction of Folsom Dam, a concrete dam flanked by earth wing dams and dikes, with a total length of about nine miles.
Stephen Payer / California Department of Water Resources
Another view of the low water level at Folsom Lake in the Sierra Nevada foothills. The lake is a vital state reservoir, one of several that provide water for millions of Californians. Photo take in October 2008.
Stephen Payer / California Department of Water Resources
A dry Folsom Lake bed in the foothills of the Sierra Nevada range. Photo take in October 2008.
Florence Low / California Department of Water Resources
Low water levels can be seen on the American River at William B. Pond Recreation Area. The river runs from the Sierra Nevada mountains to the Scramento Valley, where it joins th Sacramento River. Photo taken January 16, 2014.
John Chacon / California Department of Water Resources
Low water drought conditions at Folsom Dam and Lake located in Sacramento and El Dorado counties. Photo taken January 26, 2014.
John Chacon / California Department of Water Resources
Low water drought conditions at Folsom Dam and Lake located in Sacramento and El Dorado counties. Photo taken January 26, 2014.
John Chacon / California Department of Water Resources
Low water drought conditions at Folsom Dam and Lake located in Sacramento and El Dorado counties. Photo taken January 26, 2014.
John Chacon / California Department of Water Resources
Another view of Folsom Dam and Lake during a 2014 dry spell. Photo taken January 26, 2014.
John Chacon / California Department of Water Resources
Dry condition in 2014 at Folsom Lake in the foothills of the Sierra Nevada. Photo taken January 26, 2014.
John Chacon / California Department of Water Resources
Two people walk across a dry Folsom Lake in the foothills of the Sierra Nevada. Photo taken January 26, 2014.
John Chacon / California Department of Water Resources
A sweeping view of Folsom Lake in Sacramento and El Dorado counties during one of California's dry spells. Photo taken January 26, 2014.
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Boat docks at Browns Ravine sit on dry ground at Folsom Lake on August 19, 2014 in El Dorado Hills, California.
California Department of Water R
A view looking north from the California Aqueduct Vista Point, an exit off southbound 5 Freeway near Exit 423 Stuhr Road in Stanislaus County. Photo taken July 23, 2015. The brown expanse is in contrast to the green that covered the landscape just two years earlier as seen in the next slide.
California Department of Water Resources
A view looking north from the California Aqueduct Vista Point, an exit off southbound Interstate 5 near Exit 423 Stuhr Road in Stanislaus County. Photo taken March 4, 2013. Notice the green landscape ahead of what was to become one of the state's worst dry spells on record.
Getty Images
Skiers ski past dry ground at Squaw Valley Ski Resort, March 21, 2015 in Olympic Valley, California.
Getty Images
Houseboats in the Bidwell Canyon Marina are dwarfed by the steep banks of Lake Oroville on May 7, 2015 in Oroville, California.
Florence Low / California Department of Water Resources
Anaheim Lake is an Orange County Water District groundwater recharge basin. It provides most of northern and central Orange County’s drinking water. Photo taken Feb. 26, 2015.
Kelly M. Grow/ California Department of Water Resources
Lake Success in Porterville, California is pictured on July 28, 2015, when storage was reported at 7 percent capacity or 19 percent of average capacity.
Kelly M. Grow/ California Department of Water Resources
A dry and empty field on off Highway 33 in Coalinga, California, located in the state's Central Valley region. Photo take July 29, 2015.
AP
Fog and mist shroud the Sierra Nevada, Thursday, Feb. 2, 2017, near Echo Summit, California during one of the state's wettest winters in years.
AP
Houseboats sit on the rising waters of Oroville Lake, near Oroville, Calif. Thursday, Jan. 12, 2017. More than 40 percent of California had emerged from a punishing drought that covered the whole state a year earlier. (AP Photo/Rich Pedroncelli)
At the southern end of the Sierra Nevada -- with the highest mountain peaks -- more than double the normal amount of snow has piled up.
It was stark contrast to earlier snowpack measurements.
In April 2015, Gov. Jerry Brown attended the monthly snowpack survey near Lake Tahoe, standing in a field that was barren of any measureable snow. Brown later ordered residents to use less water at home -- a first for California. In the state that leads the nation in producing fruits, vegetables and nuts, some farmers drew down wells to grow their crops; others left fields unplanted.
AP
The sun breaks through clouds that brought snow to the Sierra Nevada, Thursday, March 30, 2017, near Echo Summit, Calif. The California Department of Water Resources held it's manual snow survey at nearby Phillips Station, Thursday, and found the snowpack's water content at 183 percent of normal for that location at this time of year. Overall, the state's electronic snow monitors show the Sierra Nevada snowpack at 164 percent of normal. (AP Photo/Rich Pedroncelli)
AP
San Jose city council member Tam Nguyen, left, helps with cleanup efforts after a neighborhood in his district was flooded by recent storms Monday, Feb. 27, 2017, in San Jose, Calif. Residents returned to a San Jose neighborhood after it was flooded by the nearby Coyote Creek following a series of storms last week. (AP Photo/Marcio Jose Sanchez)
Tony Shin
Firefighters were forced to rescue a driver from a ditch with fast rising water in Temecula on Monday, Feb. 27, 2017.
Dale Kolke / California Department of Water Resources
Bonds Flat Road near the Don Pedro Dam spillway was excavated so 15,000 cubic feet per second (cfs) of outflow from three 45-foot gates could move downstream into the Tuolumne River in Mariposa County. The last time the gates were open was 20 years ago. Photo taken February 23, 2017.
Dale Kolke / California Department of Water Resources
Floodwaters from the Tuolumne River have inundated properties near West Hatch and Vivian roads in Modesto, California. Record rainfall has forced the Don Pedro Dam spillway to release water for the first time in 20 years with an outflow of 15,000 cubic feet per second (cfs), which has caused further strain on the river channel's capacity in Stanislaus County. Photo taken February 23, 2017.
Dale Kolke / California Department of Water Resources
Floodwaters from the Tuolumne River have inundated a trailer park on River Road in Modesto, California. Record rainfall has forced the Don Pedro Dam spillway to release water for the first time in 20 years with an outflow of 15,000 cubic feet per second (cfs), which has caused further strain on the river channel's capacity in Stanislaus County. Photo taken February 23, 2017.
AP
Cars are partially submerged and covered in mud from receding floodwaters Thursday, Feb. 23, 2017, in San Jose, Calif. Thousands of people evacuated from a flood in San Jose, California, returned home Thursday amid warnings to be careful about hygiene and handling food that may have come into contact with flood water. (AP Photo/Marcio Jose Sanchez)
AP
Li Truong, right, takes out some belongings from her flooded apartment with the help of friend Dung Nguyen Thursday, Feb. 23, 2017, in San Jose, Calif. Thousands of people evacuated from a flood in San Jose, returned home Thursday amid warnings to be careful about hygiene and handling food that may have come into contact with flood water. (AP Photo/Marcio Jose Sanchez)
AP
Fernando Benavidez shovels mud out of his driveway Thursday, Feb. 23, 2017, in San Jose, Calif. Thousands of people evacuated from a flood in San Jose, California, returned home Thursday amid warnings to be careful about hygiene and handling food that may have come into contact with flood water. (AP Photo/Marcio Jose Sanchez)
AP
A man stands on a mud-filled street as water begins to recede from a flooded neighborhood Thursday, Feb. 23, 2017, in San Jose, Calif. Thousands of people evacuated from a flood in San Jose, California, returned home Thursday amid warnings to be careful about hygiene and handling food that may have come into contact with flood water. (AP Photo/Marcio Jose Sanchez)
AP
In this Wednesday, Feb. 22, 2017 photo, horses are shown behind flood water in San Jose, Calif. California authorities are expected to head to flooded ranches in San Jose to rescue horses that have been standing in water for two days. (AP Photo/Jeff Chiu)
AP
Rescue crews take out residents from a flooded neighborhood Tuesday, Feb. 21, 2017, in San Jose, Calif. Rescuers chest-deep in water steered boats carrying dozens of people, some with babies and pets, from a San Jose neighborhood inundated by water from an overflowing creek Tuesday. (AP Photo/Marcio Jose Sanchez)
NASA
NASA satellite imagery shows the weather pattern that is responsible for this winter's steady stream of storms -- an atmospheric river. The systems draw moisture up from the tropics, unleashing a series of storms on the West Coast.
AP
Rescue crews take out residents from a flooded neighborhood Tuesday, Feb. 21, 2017, in San Jose, Calif. Rescuers chest-deep in water steered boats carrying dozens of people, some with babies and pets, from a San Jose neighborhood inundated by water from an overflowing creek Tuesday. (AP Photo/Marcio Jose Sanchez)
AP
People look out from the front door of a flooded apartment complex Tuesday, Feb. 21, 2017, in San Jose, Calif. Rains have saturated once-drought stricken California but have created chaos for residents hit hard by the storms. The latest downpours swelled waterways to flood levels and left about half the state under flood, wind and snow advisories. (AP Photo/Marcio Jose Sanchez)
AP
Flood waters inundate a bicycle motocross track, Tuesday, Feb. 21, 2017, in Rio Linda, Calif. Water overflowing from nearby Dry Creek caused officials to call for a voluntary evacuation for parts of the small community north of Sacramento. (AP Photo/Rich Pedroncelli)
AP
Flood waters inundate a recreation area Tuesday, Feb. 21, 2017, in Rio Linda, Calif. Water overflowing from nearby Dry Creek caused officials to call for a voluntary evacuation of parts of the small community north of Sacramento. (AP Photo/Rich Pedroncelli)
AP
Heavy storms over the past two weeks caused parts of the shoulder and one lane of westbound Highway 50 give way, Tuesday, Feb. 21, 2017, near Pollock Pines, Calif. Crews have one lane open, of the four lane highway, as they work to repair the hole that is about 40 feet long and 17 feet wide on one of the main routes to Lake Tahoe. (AP Photo/Rich Pedroncelli)
AP
A sign is submerged in the water from Coyote Creek Tuesday, Feb. 21, 2017, in Morgan Hill, Calif. (AP Photo/Marcio Jose Sanchez)
AP
Cars are submerged in a flooded neighborhood Tuesday, Feb. 21, 2017, in San Jose, Calif. Rescuers chest-deep in water steered boats carrying dozens of people, some with babies and pets, from a San Jose neighborhood inundated by water from an overflowing creek Tuesday. (AP Photo/Marcio Jose Sanchez)
The Glory Hole spillway at Monticello Dam Monday, Feb. 20, 2017, in Lake Berryessa, Calif. Water is flowing for the first time in over a decade into the 72-foot diameter hole due to the recent storms in California. The unique spillway operates similarly to a bathtub drain. Heavy downpours are swelling creeks and rivers and bringing threats of flooding in California's already soggy northern and central regions. (AP Photo/Eric Risberg)
AP
A woman stops with her dog to watch water flow into the iconic Glory Hole spillway at Monticello Dam Monday, Feb. 20, 2017, in Lake Berryessa, Calif. Water is flowing for the first time in over a decade into the 72-foot diameter hole due to the recent storms in California. (AP Photo/Eric Risberg)
AP
A woman walks her dog in the rain Monday, Feb. 20, 2017, in San Anselmo, Calif. Heavy downpours are swelling creeks and rivers and bringing threats of flooding in California's already soggy northern and central regions. (AP Photo/Eric Risberg)
AP
Traffic makes its way in the rain over the Golden Gate Bridge Friday, Feb. 17, 2017, in San Francisco. A powerful storm is beginning to move into California as the saturated state faces a new round of wet weather that could trigger flooding and debris flows around the northern region. (AP Photo/Eric Risberg)
AP
A fallen tree crushes a car outside a residence on Saturday, Feb. 18, 2017, in Sherman Oaks section of Los Angeles. A huge Pacific storm parked itself over Southern California and unloaded, ravaging roads and opening sinkholes. (AP Photo/Ringo H.W. Chiu)
AP
Storm clouds form over the Hollywood Freeway in Los Angeles, Friday, Feb. 17, 2017. Wet weather has returned to California with the first in a new series of rainstorms moving across the northern half of the state while the south awaits a tempest that forecasters say could be the strongest in years if not decades. (AP Photo/Richard Vogel)
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SUN VALLEY, CA - FEBRUARY 17: A firefighter carries a woman from her car after it was caught in street flooding as a powerful storm moves across Southern California on February 17, 2017 in Sun Valley, California. After years of severe drought, heavy winter rains have come to the state, and with them, the issuance of flash flood watches in Santa Barbara, Ventura and Los Angeles counties, and the evacuation of hundreds of residents from Duarte, California for fear of flash flooding from areas denuded by a wildfire last year. (Photo by David McNew/Getty Images)
AP
A woman with her dog stops to look at a fallen tree that crushed a car Saturday, Feb. 18, 2017, in Sherman Oaks section of Los Angeles. A huge Pacific storm parked itself over Southern California and unloaded, ravaging roads and opening sinkholes. (AP Photo/Ringo H.W. Chiu)
Florence Low / California Department of Water Resources
A Union Pacific freight train derailed from its tracks on Friday afternoon near Dillard Road and the Cosumnes River, west of Highway 99, located south of Elk Grove, California, in Sacramento County on February 10, 2017.
Florence Low / California Department of Water Resources
California Department of Water Resources manually opens 25 gates at the Sacramento Weir, which directs water from the Sacramento River through the Sacramento Bypass Wildlife Area and into the Yolo Bypass, located in Yolo County, California, February 9, 2017.
Florence Low / California Department of Water Resources
Water levels are measured at the river gauge station on the Sacramento River near the I Street Bridge that links West Sacramento and downtown Sacramento, California, February 9, 2017.
Kelly M. Grow/ California Department of Water Resources
Old Route 49 bridge crossing over the South Yuba River in Nevada City, Calif. saw local and regional visitors during the atmospheric river event across Northern California on January 9, 2017.
Kelly M. Grow/ California Department of Water Resources
Lefty's Grill in Nevada City, Calif. had to close due to flooding from Deer Creek, which drains to the Yuba River, during the atmospheric river event across Northern California on January 10, 2017.
Florence Low / California Department of Water Resources
The recent storm floods a home along Point Pleasant Road in Elk Grove, California on January 13, 2017.
Dale Kolke / California Department of Water Resources
Discovery Park near downtown Sacramento, California was overtaken by high water from the American and Sacramento rivers after a series of atmospheric river storms hit Northern California. Photo taken January 9, 2017.
Dale Kolke / California Department of Water Resources
The Sunrise Foot Bridge located several hundred feet downstream from Sunrise Boulevard on the American River was overtopped by high water released from Folsom and Nimbus dams after a series of atmospheric river storms hit Northern California. The bridge links Fair Oaks and Rancho Cordova. Photo taken January 12, 2017.
Dale Kolke / California Department of Water Resources
Nimbus Dam on the American River released 55,000 cubic feet per second of water on January 12, 2017 after a series of atmospheric river storms hit Northern California with record levels of rain and snow.
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SUN VALLEY, CA - FEBRUARY 17: The busy I-5 freeway is shut down in both direction because of flooding as a powerful storm moves across Southern California on February 17, 2017 in Sun Valley, California. After years of severe drought, heavy winter rains have come to the state, and with them, the issuance of flash flood watches in Santa Barbara, Ventura and Los Angeles counties, and the evacuation of hundreds of residents from Duarte, California for fear of flash flooding from area denuded by a wildfire last year. (Photo by David McNew/Getty Images)
AP
A man records high waves with his smartphone while standing on a sand berm Friday, Feb. 17, 2017, in Seal Beach, Calif. A powerful Pacific storm blew into southern and central California on Friday, unleashing wind-driven heavy rains. (AP Photo/Jae C. Hong)
AP
A man dressed in rain coat rides his bike in the rain in downtown Los Angeles on Friday, Feb. 17, 2017. A powerful Pacific storm blew into southern and central California on Friday with wind-driven heavy rains, triggering calls for evacuations, causing damage and injury as trees toppled and disrupting travel and outdoor events. (AP Photo/Nick Ut)
AP
Mud from earlier storms is seen in a wash above Melcanyon Road in Duarte, Calif., in a threatened area below a San Gabriel Mountains burn area known as the Fish Fire, as a powerful storm moves into Southern California Friday, Feb. 17, 2017. The saturated state faces a new round of wet weather that could trigger flooding and debris flows. (AP Photo/Reed Saxon)
AP
K-rail, sand bags and other barriers are set up to block the flow of mud in a wash above Melcanyon Road in Duarte, Calif., in a threatened area below a San Gabriel Mountains burn area known as the Fish Fire, as a powerful storm moves into Southern California Friday, Feb. 17, 2017. The saturated state faces a new round of wet weather that could trigger flooding and debris flows. (AP Photo/Reed Saxon)
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A bicyclist rides along a flooded street as a powerful storm moves across Southern California on February 17, 2017 in Sun Valley, California. After years of severe drought, heavy winter rains have come to the state, and with them, the issuance of flash flood watches in Santa Barbara, Ventura and Los Angeles counties, and the evacuation of hundreds of residents from Duarte, California for fear of flash flooding from areas denuded by a wildfire last year.
AP
A man struggles against gusty wind and heavy rain as he walks along a pier Friday, Feb. 17, 2017, in Huntington Beach, Calif. A major Pacific storm has unleashed downpours and fierce gusts on Southern California, triggering flash flood warnings and other problems. (AP Photo/Jae C. Hong)
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A man boards a bus on a flooded street as a powerful storm moves across Southern California on February 17, 2017 near Sun Valley, California. After years of severe drought, heavy winter rains have come to the state, and with them, the issuance of flash flood watches in Santa Barbara, Ventura and Los Angeles counties, and the evacuation of hundreds of residents from Duarte, California for fear of flash flooding from areas denuded by a wildfire last year. (Photo by David McNew/Getty Images)
cariwhitmore via Instagram
Rain flooding on the 110 Freeway on Friday, Feb. 17, 2017.
National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration via AP
In this Friday, Feb. 17, 2017 satellite image released by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) shows a powerful storm beginning to move into California as the saturated state faces a new round of wet weather that could trigger flooding and debris flows around the northern region. The brunt of the storm is expected to affect Southern California starting around midday Friday and into Saturday. Forecasters say rain will also spread into Central California and up to the San Francisco Bay Area. But the National Weather Service says only scattered light showers are occurring in the region north of Sacramento, where the damaged Oroville Dam continues to release water in advance of new storms. (National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration via AP)
AP
Storm debris covers a waterfront walkway Friday, Feb. 17, 2017, in Sausalito, Calif. A powerful storm is beginning to move into California as the saturated state faces a new round of wet weather that could trigger flooding and debris flows around the northern region. (AP Photo/Eric Risberg)
AP
A woman struggles to hang onto her umbrella in the wind Friday, Feb. 17, 2017, in Sausalito, Calif. A powerful storm is beginning to move into California as the saturated state faces a new round of wet weather that could trigger flooding and debris flows around the northern region. (AP Photo/Eric Risberg)
AP
Raindrops splash in water, mud and debris in a basin slowly filling up in Duarte, Calif., in a threatened area below a burn area know as the Fish Fire, as a powerful storm moves into Southern California Friday, Feb. 17, 2017. The saturated state faces a new round of wet weather that could trigger flooding and debris flows. (AP Photo/Reed Saxon)
AP
Mud and debris accumulates behind a barrier in Duarte, Calif., in a threatened area below a burn area know as the Fish Fire, as a powerful storm moves into Southern California Friday, Feb. 17, 2017. The saturated state faces a new round of wet weather that could trigger flooding and debris flows. (AP Photo/Reed Saxon)
AP
Part of the River Bend recreation area are submerged under floodwater Friday, Feb. 10, 2017, near Guerneville, California. (AP Photo/Ben Margot)
AP
Two women share an umbrella walking in the rain Friday, Feb. 17, 2017, in Sausalito, California. (AP Photo/Eric Risberg)
AP
Headstones stick up over the flood water from the nearby Feather River at the Marysville Cemetery Saturday, Feb. 11, 2017, in Marysville, California. (AP Photo/Rich Pedroncelli)
AP
Jerry Rodriguez, left, shares a rain poncho with his girlfriend, Lilyana Del Villar, Friday, Feb. 10, 2017, in downtown Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Jae C. Hong)
AP
A man operates a motor boat in a flooded area Friday, Feb. 10, 2017, in Guerneville, California. (AP Photo/Ben Margot)
AP
A tow truck operator walks past an overturned vehicle on the south bound lane next to a mudslide which caused the complete closure of Highway 17 north Tuesday, Feb. 7, 2017, south of Santa Cruz, Calif. Flash flood watches are in place for parts of Northern California down through the Central Coast as heavy rains swamp roads and threaten to overtop rivers and creeks. (AP Photo/Marcio Jose Sanchez)
AP
Ross Williams stands next to his truck as the San Lorenzo River floods a neighborhood Tuesday, Feb. 7, 2017, in Felton, California. (AP Photo/Marcio Jose Sanchez)
AP
A woman walks past a puddle on a pier at Fort Point in San Francisco, Monday, Feb. 6, 2017. California's winter keeps getting wetter as the first in the latest round of storms moves ashore, bringing heavy rain and powerful winds. (AP Photo/Jeff Chiu)
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Floodwaters flow over a street during a rain storm on January 23, 2017 in Santa Clarita, California. Heavy rains pounded Southern California over the weekend causing flooding, mudslides and bringing down trees in the region. The rains are expected to taper off by end of day on Monday. (Photo by Justin Sullivan/Getty Images)
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A truck travels by a flooded street during a rain storm on January 23, 2017 in Santa Clarita, California. Heavy rains pounded Southern California over the weekend causing flooding, mudslides and bringing down trees in the region. The rains are expected to taper off by end of day on Monday. (Photo by Justin Sullivan/Getty Images)
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A front loader clears mud and debris from a street during a rain storm on January 23, 2017 in Santa Clarita, California. Heavy rains pounded Southern California over the weekend causing flooding, mudslides and bringing down trees in the region. The rains are expected to taper off by end of day on Monday. (Photo by Justin Sullivan/Getty Images)
AP
Weekend storms caused flooding Sunday Jan. 22, 2017 in Seal Beach.
AP
A man walks along Bernal Heights Hill in San Francisco, Monday, Jan. 23, 2017. The tail end of a punishing winter storm system lashed California with thunderstorms and severe winds Monday after breaking rainfall records, washing out roads and whipping up enormous waves. (AP Photo/Jeff Chiu)
Susan Monroe/KNBC-TV
Mud flows in Iron Canyon on Friday, Jan. 20, 2017, as a series of winter storms hit SoCal.
AP
A woman who gave her name as Julie holds her dog Shana as they wait outside of her office after rainwater flooded the street Friday, Jan. 20, 2017, in San Diego. Flash flood warnings have been issued in various places in Southern California as the area is pounded by wind and rain from the second of a series of storms this week. (AP Photo/Gregory Bull)
Santa Barbara County Fire Department
A storm Friday Jan. 20, 2017 caused flooding and debris flows in the El Capitan Canyon area of Santa Barbara.
AP
A family walks on a stretch off land eroded by rain flow in Elysian Park in Los Angeles , Thursday, Jan. 19, 2017. California getting soaked with series of heavy storms. A second storm will arrive Thursday night and could drop another 2 inches of rain and up to 3 inches in LA-area foothills by Saturday, forecasters said. Forecasters cautioned that mud and debris flows could occur if heavy rains fell on wildfire burn scars. (AP Photo/Damian Dovarganes)
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A rainbow is seen after a storm during the first round of the CareerBuilder Challenge in Partnership with The Clinton Foundation on the Jack Nicklaus Tournament course at PGA West on January 19, 2017 in La Quinta, California. (Photo by Jeff Gross/Getty Images)
AP
Assemblyman Ken Cooley, D-Rancho Cordova, looks over a fallen tulip tree at Capitol Park Thursday, Jan. 19, 2017, in Sacramento, Calif. The nearly 90-foot tree was from an historic grove honoring Civil War veterans. It was among three from the 120-year-old grove that was destroyed during the storm that swept through Northern California Wednesday. (AP Photo/Rich Pedroncelli)
AP
An uprooted tree that struck a home in Sacramento, Calif is seen Thursday, Jan. 19, 2017. (AP Photo/Rich Pedroncelli)
AP
Contractors survey a 72-inch sinkhole Wednesday, Jan. 18, 2017, in Orinda, Calif. The city council of Orinda declared a State of Emergency Tuesday night because of a large sinkhole caused by last week's wet weather. Repairs will take at least four weeks, as the San Francisco Bay Area is being hit with a new series of rain storms. (AP Photo/Ben Margot)
Justin Sullivan/Getty Images
Floodwaters surround an antique store on Jan. 11, 2017 in Guerneville, California. Storms brought heavy rains and flooding to Northern California just days after rain and snow storms pounded the region bringing much needed water to drought stricken California. (Photo by Justin Sullivan/Getty Images)
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Floodwaters stand in a miniature golf course on January 10, 2017 in Guerneville, California.
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A resident paddles his kayak through floodwaters on January 11, 2017 in Guerneville, California.
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Floodwaters surround a gas station on January 11, 2017 in Guerneville, California.
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Floodwaters stand in an abandoned amusement park on January 10, 2017 in Guerneville, California.
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Signs block a flooded roadway and vineyard on January 10, 2017 in Forestville, California.
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A sign is submerged in floodwaters in front of flooded homes on January 11, 2017 in Guerneville, California.
Getty Images
Floodwaters stand in a miniature golf course on January 10, 2017 in Guerneville, California.
AP
Houseboats sit on the rising waters of Oroville Lake, near Oroville, Calif. Thursday, Jan. 12, 2017. More than 40 percent of California has emerged from a punishing drought that covered the whole state a year ago, federal drought-watchers said Thursday, a stunning transformation caused by an unrelenting series of storms in the North that filled lakes, overflowed rivers and buried mountains in snow. (AP Photo/Rich Pedroncelli)
Toni Guinyard/KNBC-TV
A downpour drenches city workers at the site of a landslide along Laurel Canyon Boulevard between Los Angeles' San Fernando Valley and West Hollywood Thursday Jan. 12, 2017.
Early morning rush hour traffic crawls along the Hollywood Freeway near downtown Los Angeles on Thursday, Jan. 12, 2017. Flooded roads and freeways along with low fog and clouds made for a hazardous commute Thursday as another round of heavy rain moved through Southern California, raising fresh fears of possible mudslides in wildfire burn areas. (AP Photo/Richard Vogel)
AP
A crew from San Francisco Public Works removes a tree that fell on a car in San Francisco, Wednesday, Jan. 11, 2017. Drenching winter rains combined with the punishing effects of six years of drought are causing trees to topple across California, in some cases with deadly results. (AP Photo/Jeff Chiu)
Downtown workers make their way along a soggy street in downtown Los Angeles on Thursday, Jan. 12, 2107. Flooded roads and freeways along with low fog and clouds made for a hazardous commute Thursday as another round of heavy rain moved through Southern California, raising fresh fears of possible mudslides in wildfire burn areas. (AP Photo/Richard Vogel)
Eric Risberg/AP
A car is submerged as the Russian River floods Johnson's Beach, Tuesday, Jan. 10, 2017, in Guerneville, Calif. The latest in an onslaught of winter storms comes with blizzard warnings for the Sierra Nevada and a new round of flooding for Northern California river towns where thousands of people remained under evacuation advisory Tuesday. (AP Photo/Eric Risberg)
AP
Rita Maissno, right, and Lara Seltzer make their way through heavy rain and gusty wind as they walk along a pier Friday, Feb. 17, 2017, in Huntington Beach, Calif. A major Pacific storm has unleashed downpours and fierce gusts on Southern California, triggering flash flood warnings and other problems. (AP Photo/Jae C. Hong)
AP
Part of a patio collapsed Wednesday Jan. 11, 2017 in Laurel Canyon, causing concerns about a possible landslide onto the road.
AP
Laurel Canyon Boulevard was closed Wednesday Jan. 11, 2017 due to a patio collapse that raised landslide concerns in the area between the San Fernando Valley and West Hollywood.
AP
A pair of ducks make their way along a flooded road Tuesday, Jan. 10, 2017, in Monte Rio, Calif. The latest in an onslaught of winter storms comes with blizzard warnings for the Sierra Nevada and a new round of flooding for Northern California river towns where thousands of people remained under evacuation advisory Tuesday. (AP Photo/Eric Risberg)
AP
Flooding surrounds an arcade and miniature golf course Tuesday, Jan. 10, 2017, in Guerneville, Calif. The latest in an onslaught of winter storms comes with blizzard warnings for the Sierra Nevada and a new round of flooding for Northern California river towns where thousands of people remained under evacuation advisory Tuesday. (AP Photo/Eric Risberg)
AP
Water from the Sacramento River flows through some of the gates of the Sacramento Weir, Tuesday, Jan. 10, 2017, in West Sacramento, Calif. State officials opened the Sacramento Weir gates for the first time in more than a decade as stormy weather continues to lash Northern California and Nevada. (AP Photo/Rich Pedroncelli)
AP
California State Parks Supervising Ranger Tony Tealdi talks to reporters at hthe fallen Pioneer Cabin Tree at Calaveras Big Trees State Park, Monday, Jan. 9, 2017, in Arnold, Calif. Famous for a "drive-thru" hole carved into its trunk, the giant sequoia was toppled over by a massive storm Sunday. (AP Photo/Rich Pedroncelli)
AP
Emergency crews pile sandbags Monday, Jan. 9, 2017, along the Truckee River in Lockwood, Nev. National Guard troops were called in to assist local residents whose neighborhood was cut off by flooding. The worst danger had passed but more rain was in the forecast later this week. (AP Photo/Scott Sonner)
AP
Terry Howard, left, pushes his stalled car from a flooded street with the help of his wife Janie Tuesday, Feb. 7, 2017, in Felton, Calif. Flash flood watches are in place for parts of Northern California down through the Central Coast as heavy rains swamp roads and threaten to overtop rivers and creeks. (AP Photo/Marcio Jose Sanchez)
Tony Leonardini
The people at Whitehall Lane Winery in Napa Valley sent in this photo of a tree that crashed through a guest house on the vineyard property during the intense storms in Northern California. Thankfully, the house was empty when the tree went down. (Published Jan. 9, 2017.)
Leonardini Family
A tree collapsed on a Whitehall Lane Winery guesthouse Monday Jan. 9, 2017. No injuries were reported.
AP
Vineyards remain flooded in the Russian River Valley, Monday, Jan. 9, 2017, in Forestville, Calif. A massive storm system stretching from California into Nevada lifted rivers climbing out of their banks, flooded vineyards and forced people to evacuate after warnings that hillsides parched by wildfires could give way to mudslides. (AP Photo/Eric Risberg)
AP
A break between storms appears over San Francisco Bay, Monday, Jan. 9, 2017, as viewed from Sausalito, Calif. A massive storm system stretching from California into Nevada lifted rivers climbing out of their banks, flooded vineyards and forced people to evacuate after warnings that hillsides parched by wildfires could give way to mudslides. (AP Photo/Eric Risberg)
AP
Andrea Castillo watches water flow heavily down the Merced River at the Pohono Bridge as it steadily rises throughout the day in Yosemite National Park, Calif., Sunday, Jan. 8, 2017. Stranded motorists were pulled from cars stuck on flooded roads as heavy rains from a massive winter storm moved into Northern California. (AP Photo/Gary Kazanjian)
AP
A "closed" sign stands at the entrance of a normally busy ice rink at the Half Dome Village of Yosemite National Park, Calif., on Saturday, Jan 7, 2016. The area has been evacuated ahead of possible flooding of the Merced River from a storm system in Northern California. (AP Photo/Gary Kazanjian)
Monterey County Sheriff's Department
Rising floodwaters knock down trees in the Big Sur area during a winter storm Monday Jan. 9, 2017.
KNBC-TV
Front-end loaders remove mud near homes in Duarte, California Monday Jan. 9, 2017 after overnight downpours.
AP
Tents stand empty at Half Dome Village in Yosemite National Park, Calif., on Saturday, Jan 7, 2016, after being evacuated ahead of possible flooding of the Merced River from a storm system in Northern California. (AP Photo/Gary Kazanjian)
Jonathan Gonazlez/KNBC-TV
Mud and water wash down from the Sand Canyon burn area near Santa Clarita Monday Jan. 9, 2017.
AP
Water pours down Yosemite Falls during heavy rain in Yosemite National Park, Calif., Sunday, Jan. 8, 2017. Stranded motorists were pulled from cars stuck on flooded roads as heavy rains from a massive winter storm moved into Northern California. (AP Photo/Gary Kazanjian)
AP
Park Ranger Cullen Tucker walks across a bridge during a rain storm on the Merced River in Yosemite National Park, Calif., Sunday, Jan. 8, 2017. Stranded motorists were pulled from cars stuck on flooded roads as heavy rains from a massive winter storm moved into Northern California. (AP Photo/Gary Kazanjian)
AP
Photographer Michael Macor walks through a flooded Cook's Meadow area near the Merced River as water pours down Yosemite Falls during a media tour in Yosemite National Park, Calif., Sunday, Jan. 8, 2017. Stranded motorists were pulled from cars stuck on flooded roads as heavy rains from a massive winter storm moved into Northern California. (AP Photo/Gary Kazanjian)
AP file
Leidig Meadow, which is normally dry, is flooded by the Merced River Sunday, Jan. 8, 2017, as makeshift waterfalls are are off in the distance from pouring rainfall in Yosemite National Park, Calif.Stranded motorists were pulled from cars stuck on flooded roads as heavy rains from a massive winter storm moved into Northern California. (AP Photo/Gary Kazanjian)
AP
A man walks in the rain past a covered storefront in San Anselmo, Calif., Saturday, Jan. 7, 2017. On the California coast, weather forecasters anticipate a storm surge from the Pacific called an atmospheric river to dump several inches of rain from Sonoma to Monterey counties, and up to a foot in isolated places in the Santa Cruz mountains. (AP Photo/Jeff Chiu)
AP
A driver travels through flooded water on Green Valley Road in Graton, Calif., Saturday, Jan. 7, 2017. On the California coast, weather forecasters anticipate a storm surge from the Pacific called an atmospheric river to dump several inches of rain from Sonoma to Monterey counties, and up to a foot in isolated places in the Santa Cruz mountains. (AP Photo/Jeff Chiu)
AP
A driver travels through flooded water on Green Valley Road in Graton, Calif., Saturday, Jan. 7, 2017. On the California coast, weather forecasters anticipate a storm surge from the Pacific called an atmospheric river to dump several inches of rain from Sonoma to Monterey counties, and up to a foot in isolated places in the Santa Cruz mountains. (AP Photo/Jeff Chiu)
AP
A red pickup truck sits abandoned it after it got stuck in floodwaters Monday, Jan. 9, 2017, on a closed road at a University of Nevada, Reno, research farm bordering the Truckee River south of U.S. Interstate 80. (AP Photo/Scott Sonner).
AP
A man stops to take a picture of the Russian River as it floods Johnson's Beach Tuesday, Jan. 10, 2017, in Guerneville, Calif. The latest in an onslaught of winter storms comes with blizzard warnings for the Sierra Nevada and a new round of flooding for Northern California river towns where thousands of people remained under evacuation advisory Tuesday. (AP Photo/Eric Risberg)
AP
City crews clear tree branches and debris from the Truckee River in downtown Reno, Nev., Tuesday, Jan. 10, 2017, after flooding sent water over the banks and caused to close all downtown bridges the day before. (AP Photo/Scott Sonner)
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Floodwaters flow over a street during a rain storm on January 23, 2017 in Santa Clarita, California. Heavy rains pounded Southern California over the weekend causing flooding, mudslides and bringing down trees in the region. The rains are expected to taper off by end of day on Monday. (Photo by Justin Sullivan/Getty Images)
Now, the extreme weather pendulum is swining the other direction. Flood damage statewide reached an estimated $1 billion, officials said. In San Jose, one of the hardest hit communities, residents are returning to evacuated homes and sorting through belongings as the city comes to grips with an estimated $70 million in damage.
