PROJECT ALERT NOTICE (CA) Northern California Storms - High Water Event

Date: Mon, 03 Dec 2012 18:34:57 EST

Summary: Rivers and streams have crested, with Flood Watches and Warnings expired, and further rainfall forecast to be light.

The late fall extreme storm event in Northern California is diminishing, with the "Atmoshpheric River" connection broken, any further rainfall is forecast to be light - 1-2 in. in the coast range, to 3-4 in. in the Shasta Inflow basins, and N. Sierra Range. Several coast range rivers reached monitor or flood stage, as defined by NWS, however no peaks of record were reached, with maximum RI peaks in the 25-50 yr. range. Only one site is having transmission problems, and that will be investigated tomorrow (web reporting turned off).

During the 3 day event, all northern CA Field offices were involved - Redding, Eureka, Truckee, Ukiah, Hayward, Sacramento and Santa Cruz. A wet weekend for all, with the maximum deployment on Sunday 12/2 of 31 personnel.

Over the 3 day storm, a total of 86 direct discharge measurements were made and 14 suspended sediment samples collected. It is notable that the Russian River, and the southern end of the N. Coast range, was forecast to reach flood stage, by the CA/NV NOAA River Forecast Center. A senior tech, using the guidance provided on the RFC website, from their forecast models, was able to route the staff to all key sites on the Russian River....entering the data into NWIS....and made available to the RFC to make their forecast models as accurate as possible.

Several follow up measurements are being made today, with 12 staff deployed. The rest of the week will be a full coverage of field runs, with an additional experience accoustics tech being sent to the Eureka office for HW assistance on the recessions of the big rivers.

Barring any significant information from the field, this will be the last Alert entry for this event.

Sub-Region: Pacific West; Region: Western United States