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chris
Site Admin
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Posted: Jan 31, 2018 Post Subject: Chili Bar - 2018 Recreational Releases
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| Until now, we've been enjoying Chili Bar scheduled releases based on a Wet water year, but that's about to change.
Nate Rangel reports that in last week's relicensing implementation meeting SMUD personnel indicated that we are now in a Dry year, though trending towards Below Normal. The actual water year type for February will be determined when the B120 report comes out around Feb 8, and it is expected to go into effect around Feb 11.
Assuming the Dry scenario, this will still give us 1300 cfs on Saturdays and Sundays in February, and Friday through Tuesday releases in March.
The scheduled release page has been updated according to the above scenario through the end of March.
Be aware though that these are best guesses and things could change, so be sure to check back around Feb 8 for updates.
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chris
Site Admin
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| The B120 report for February came out last Thursday, and it predicts that the "Unimpaired Runoff" above Folsom Reservoir will be 1.750 MAF (million acre-feet). This translates to a Below Normal water year type for February through early March.
What this means is that we will continue to get Saturday and Sunday releases, from 9AM until noon, until the end of February. Then, from March 1 onward, there will be scheduled releases every day except Wednesday.
The Below Normal designation will persist at least until the next B120 bulletin comes out, around March 10. Check back then for an update.
The scheduled release page assumes a Below Normal water year type through the end of March (but that could change, see previous para, so check back later).
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jansportw
Member
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| Posted: Mar 9, 2018Post Subject: March 2018 Forecast: Dry
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| The March water year forecast is out for the South Fork of the American River. It dropped to Dry.
For March this means we've got guaranteed raftable flows all but Wednesdays and Thursdays.
Assuming we stay at Dry, we'll keep that schedule until Memorial Day where we gain Thursdays until Labor Day.
Highlights of changes from Below Normal to Dry:
Spring: Lose Thursdays
Summer: Drop from 6 hours to 5 hours/day on Saturday and Sunday
Fall: Numerous changes.
I've posted a more in-depth look at the water forecast for those that are interested.
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chris
Site Admin
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| The B120 report for March came out yesterday, and it predicts that the "Unimpaired Runoff" above Folsom Reservoir will be 1.350 MAF (million acre-feet). This translates to a Dry water year type for the rest of March through early April.
What this means is that from now on we will get scheduled releases every day except Wednesday and Thursday.
The Dry designation will persist at least until the next B120 bulletin comes out around April 8, taking effect around April 11. Check back then for an update.
The scheduled release page assumes a Dry water year type through the end of April (but that could change, see previous para, so check back later).
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chris
Site Admin
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| Precipitation for this season is already enough to guarantee that the water year type for 2018 will be at least Dry. The scheduled release page has accordingly been updated to reflect a Dry water year type through the end of September.
While unlikely, it may even rain/snow enough to upgrade the water year type to Below Normal. If this happens the schedule will improve in some respects.
As always, be sure to check back around April 10 for an update.
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chris
Site Admin
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| The B120 report for April came out today, and it predicts that the "Unimpaired Runoff" above Folsom Reservoir will be 2.175 MAF (million acre-feet). This translates to a Below Normal water year type.
The Below Normal designation will persist at least until the next B120 bulletin comes out around May 8, taking effect around May 11. Check back then for an update.
What this means is that we will get scheduled releases every day, except Wednesdays, from now until at least May 11.
The scheduled release page assumes a Below Normal water year type through the end of September (but that could change, see above, so check back later).
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chris
Site Admin
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| The B120 report for May came out today, and it predicts that the "Unimpaired Runoff" above Folsom Reservoir will be 2.367 MAF (million acre-feet). The result is that the water year type continues to be Below Normal.
This is the last B120 report for the year. The Below Normal designation is expected to persist until the next B120 report comes out on February 8, going into effect February 11, 2019. See the Chili Bar scheduled release page for scheduled release flows and times.
Note though that these are only the guaranteed releases - in practice, at their discretion, SMUD/PG&E may release boatable flows any day of the week, any time. Just don't count on them if they're not on the schedule.
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