An Abundance of Water

January 30, 2017

The San Francisco Bay Area is confronted with an abundance of water. While this will make for an amazing Spring and Summer of fun on the water, it is causing havoc for regional park and lake recreation areas.

Fish may be confused now and hunting areas closed but too much water is better than drought any day.

Bay Area’s Flooded Lakes Signal a Spectacular Summer

Photo: Tom Stienstra, Rocky Mountain Recreation / Special To The Chronicle

San Pablo Reservoir opens for the season on Friday, February 3, 2017, and anglers, boaters and all visitors will find a lake 102 percent full, that is, over the brim and pouring over the spillway.

By Tom Stienstra, San Francisco Chronicle

January 29, 2017 Updated: January 29, 2017 6:00am

At Del Valle Reservoir, the floodwaters rose over the banks last week and inundated the bait shop up to the windows. The picnic areas were submerged, the spillway at the dam turned into a rushing torrent, the campground was evacuated, and the park was closed until Feb. 13.

It’s a scene being played out at many Bay Area lakes. Flooding may mean high, muddy water now, but it assures high lake levels and a great season for recreation in the months to come.

Bay Area’s Flooded Lakes Signal a Spectacular Summer

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