PROJECT ALERT NOTICE (CA) Flooding continues for CA - Day 6

Date: Sun, 12 Feb 2017 15:25:41 EST

Summary: Flooding continues as California experiences a short break in rainfall, with more storms returning Tuesday.

Today, light showers are expected for parts of southern California, followed by dry conditions statewide. Although no rainfall is expected for northern California today, many north central counties remain under flood warning. Currently, 46 percent of USGS streamgages in CA are reporting streamflows more than 90 percent above normal flow for this time of year. The NOAA/NWS California Nevada River Forecast Center reports many California rivers remain above flood (9 gages) or monitor (19 gages) stage today, including 14 gage locations along the Sacramento River.

The California Water Science Center (CAWSC) has 1 crew responding to this event today from the Sacramento, CA service area. This crew will be measuring streamflow, turbidity, and conducting suspended sediment sampling on the Feather River at a location approximately 20 miles downstream of Oroville Dam. The USGS is conducting this work in emergency response to recent sedimentation concerns in the Feather River that resulted from controlled dam releases over a damaged and eroded spillway, and uncontrolled releases over an emergency spillway (unlined). Flow over the emergency spillway began yesterday at 8 am PST and is expected to continue for a few days, according to officials from the California Department of Water Resources. With another series of storms predicted to bring rain and snow to parts of California beginning on Tuesday, the USGS will continue to monitor this situation as it develops and is prepared to provide additional emergency response as needed.

CAWSC managers remain in contact with water-resource managers and cooperative partners to coordinate USGS sampling or high-water measurements. No safety issues have occurred during this series of storms and all staff have followed USGS field reporting and safety protocols. No crews are expected to deploy tomorrow for recessional measurements. Updates will continue to be provided as necessary.