Trinity Reservoir Update – March 13th 2023
Trinity Reservoir is currently at 33% of capacity (47% of historical average to date). Trinity has benefitted the least out of Central Valley Project reservoirs with the series of atmospheric river bringing added water supply; however, the reservoir is largest dependent on snowmelt (versus Shasta, which heavily relies on rain).
Regarding operations, required releases are made each day from Trinity Reservoir and released through the Trinity powerplant into the Trinity River. Doing so produces hydropower and these releases are not visible to the public. However, rehabilitation of the reservoir’s penstock intake system began on March 6 as part of ongoing maintenance. As a result of the construction activities, water releases are currently bypassing the powerplant and are directly released from the dam’s auxiliary valve, which is visible to the public. Releases from the auxiliary valve will continue through March 31. No additional water is being released as part of this bypass.
By Mary Lee Knecht
Bureau of Reclamation Public Affairs Officer
Poor planning, No One Notified, was at 22% or maybe lower all summer?
