_March 11,2023-
This week’s warm Atmospheric River storm targeted the South Valley from Yosemite to Kern County dropping huge volumes of water now impacting the Valley below. On the upper San Joaquin, Nature Point received 8.2 inches in the past 24 hours. On the Kaweah Giant Forest got 9.67 in. and on the Tule, Springville received 8.3 inches the past day and 11.24 inches since March 1.Figures from DWR this morning.
Porterville Dam expected to spill
A Corp of Engineers report shows us the volume of water flowing into key South Valley reservoirs – led by Pine Flat that added 63,000 Acre-Feet in 24 hours as of midnight March 10.
Terminus added nearly 50,000AF on the Kaweah River bringing the total to over 108,000AF (as 7AM). The dam holds 185,000AF. Much smaller Schafer Dam above Porterville added 42,000AF.As of that reading it is holding more than 71,000AF but can handle just 82,000AF. The Tulare County Sheriff as said residents near the dam should evacuate and that the water levels are expected to top the spillway.
Work has been underway to widen the spillway and raise the lake, which will increase the lake’s storage capacity by 28,000 acre feet, and bring total storage of the supply to 110,000 acre feet. This includes adding a 10-foot-tall ogee weir to the dam, a wall-like concrete structure that widens the dam’s spillway.But that work is not complete.
CNN this morning reported that
“Evacuations orders were expanded in Tulare County to include the community of Teviston as well as parts of Cutler and Exeter because river flow had increased, according to the county sheriff’s office Friday night. Officials urged residents to stay clear of waterways and avoid all unnecessary travel.
“Due to the amount of added water to Lake Success from the rain and runoff, the water levels are predicted to reach the spillway,” the sheriff’s office said.”
Fraint Dam also took in lot of water adding over 60,000AF by 7Am this morning bringing the total to 301,439AF.It can hold 550,000AF.
As for what is yet to come down,Giant Forest at 6500ft received almost 10 inches in additional rain in the past 24 hours bringing the annual total to 70 inches-likely a record pace.
