Photos: For 1st time in 4 years, flood-control releases underway at Lake Sonoma

A series of high-flow water releases scheduled Wednesday for Lake Sonoma helped create space for additional runoff now that the lake is full.|

It was an event that hasn’t happened in nearly four years, a moment of celebration even.

A series of high-flow water releases were staggered throughout the day Wednesday at Lake Sonoma’s Warm Springs Dam, creating space for additional runoff now that the water supply pool is full.

Heavy and consistent rains have brought the reservoir to levels not seen since 2019.

Lake Sonoma was at nearly 119% of its seasonal water supply as of Tuesday afternoon, according to the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers which comanages the reservoir with Sonoma Water.

The reservoir, located west of Cloverdale in northern Sonoma County, has a 245,000 acre-foot water supply pool, with a total 381,000 acre-foot capacity.

The water release will help maintain capacity for flood control through the upcoming weeks.

UPDATED: Please read and follow our commenting policy:
  • This is a family newspaper, please use a kind and respectful tone.
  • No profanity, hate speech or personal attacks. No off-topic remarks.
  • No disinformation about current events.
  • We will remove any comments — or commenters — that do not follow this commenting policy.
Send a letter to the editor