The Castaic Creek is full due to the recent storms and Castaic and Pyramid Lakes releasing water, but why?
The Department of Water Resources is operating their Winter Operations Plan whereby they reduce storage in both Pyramid and Castaic Lakes between Jan. 1 and can be as early as Dec. 15 until the end Feb. but can also be as late as the end of March.
The Winter Operations is to ensure that they do not use the emergency spillway at Pyramid and Castaic Lakes in a 100 year event, according to officials.
The Department of Water Resources has been operating the Winter Operations Plan since winter of 2018, according to officials.
The lake is currently above the maximum elevN/Storage levels so the releases are to ensure they can ultimately get back to the desired level, officials said.
Comparatively in April 2023, Castaic Lake’s water levels rose to 96 percent of its total capacity, according to State Water Project officials.
The water level showed a significant increase from 2022 when the lake water levels were lowered to 34 percent total capacity artificially for routine maintenance.
These levels at the time were also partially influenced by the artificial lowering of water levels by 100 feet in late 2021 due to construction on the Castaic Dam Tower Bridge Pier.
For more information, click here.
Sponsored Articles
KHTS FM 98.1 and AM 1220 is Santa Clarita’s only local radio station. KHTS mixes in a combination of news, traffic, sports, and features along with your favorite adult contemporary hits. Santa Clarita news and features are delivered throughout the day over our airwaves, on our website and through a variety of social media platforms. Our KHTS national award-winning daily news briefs are now read daily by 34,000+ residents. A vibrant member of the Santa Clarita community, the KHTS broadcast signal reaches all of the Santa Clarita Valley and parts of the high desert communities located in the Antelope Valley. The station streams its talk shows over the web, reaching a potentially worldwide audience. Follow @KHTSRadio on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram.
You guys really need to ask more questions for your articles.
What is the desired level? 50% of full? 60%? 85%?
What if there isn’t anymore rain this year? And if not, why not wait to release water closer to the date of a known storm?
Castaic and Pyramid Lakes both hold Aqueduct water. Pyramid Lake releases water into Piru Creek, and Not Castaic Creek. Releases from Castaic Lake flow down Castaic Creek onto the Santa Clara River.
The two comingle near Piru where Piru Creek joins the SC River.
State Water Project water does not flow down those creeks. There are pipes between Pyramid and Castaic Lakes.
The releases are excess water not destined to come out taps.
What’s wrong with the water going over the spillway at Castaic? Does something get worn out? I’m pretty certain I watched the water flow over it in 2023. It was kinda cool to see.