Even Heavy Rain Won't Boost South Bay Water Levels
SAN JOSE (KCBS) – Even though Silicon Valley is expected to get some heavy rainfall this week along with the rest of the Bay Area, it isn't expected to change the overall water picture in the dry valley.
"We have a gauge in downtown San Jose that shows only 2.7 inches, which is the lowest amount that we've had at that gauge this time of season since it started measuring in 1875," said Santa Clara County Water District spokesman Marty Grimes.
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He said that the driest winter in over 100 years is reflected in reservoir storage levels.
KCBS' Mike Colgan Reports:
"Reservoirs right now are at 41 percent of capacity, which is 57 percent of normal for this time of year," said Grimes. "That's pretty low, but that's just the ten surface reservoirs that we have. Our groundwater level, which is really what we look at when we're looking at what we need to do for conservation, are still around normal. So we're benefiting from our good rain year last year."
Grimes said that's why the staff recommendation to the board is to not go to a higher conservation level at this time.
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