A week of nearly nonstop rain added almost 50 percent more water
to the Santa Clara Valley’s 10 reservoirs.
A week of nearly nonstop rain added almost 50 percent more water to the Santa Clara Valley’s 10 reservoirs.
Reservoirs are at 61 percent capacity – levels that haven’t been seen in January in the last three years, according to the Santa Clara Valley Water District’s historical data. A week ago, they were only 42 percent full.
“Adding that much water in one week’s time is a huge increase,” said water district spokeswoman Susan Siravo.
The recent storm dumped more than 25,000 acre-feet into local reservoirs, Siravo said. One acre-foot supplies two families of five with enough water to last a year.
According to the water district’s historical data, reservoir levels were at about 45 percent capacity last year on this date. However, storms rolled in later last year in February, Siravo said.
“Is the drought over?” Siravo asked, echoing one of the questions she’s been getting a lot in the last week. “It’s too soon to tell.”
The last time reservoirs were full was back in 2006, she said.
Percent capacity on Jan. 26 by year
2010: 60.9%
2009: 44.6%
2008: 20.5%
2007: 13.2%
