NORTHSTATE AREA, Calif. — With heavy rain over the weekend, some drought-stricken lakes in the Northstate are getting some much-needed water.
The level of rain over the weekend has had an effect on the water levels at Whiskeytown, Shasta, and Oroville lakes. At Oroville Lake, the water level rose 20-ft. in three days.
But in the last 24 hours, Shasta Lake only rose 1.63-ft., according to the California Department of Water Resources (DWR).Shasta Lake, unlike Whiskeytown Lake, has water diverted from it and sent to the Sacramento River in order to create ideal temperatures for salmon to swim.
Water levels at Whiskeytown Lake are regulated by the Glory Hole, which is one reason why the lake sits at a higher relative level than Shasta Lake. When the lake hits 1,211 feet, the hole sucks water down to prevent the water from spilling over the Whiskeytown Dam.
Dave Nunes drove up Interstate 5 all the way from Turlock to visit the area and took his first trip to Whiskeytown Lake Monday morning to beat the coming rain. He had previously visited Shasta Lake and was surprised to see the levels so low compared to years past.
"I haven’t been there for years," Nunes said, "It’s just crazy seeing how low the water is." Nunes continued to say that he plans on kayaking with friends in the spring when lake activities are in season.
A number of wildlife animals make their habitat around the lakes. Whiskeytown National Recreation Area outlines that natural wildlife, such as mountain lions and black bears, inhabit the area. One black bear, "Zogg,"was rehabilitated by park officials after last year's Zogg fire.
A bald eagle was spotted at Shasta Lake on Monday morning, another significant feature of the lakes.
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