Community Corner

MMWD: Rain Since Feb. 5 Filled Marin Municipal's Three Smallest Reservoirs

By Bay City News Service

 The 15 inches of rain that fell at Lake Lagunitas in the Mt. Tamalpais Watershed between Wednesday and midnight Sunday increased the capacity of the seven reservoirs in the Marin Municipal Water District from 53 to 64 percent of capacity, district spokeswoman Libby Pischel said Monday.

 It also filled the three smallest reservoirs: Phoenix, Lagunitas and Bon Tempe, Libby said.

 A water gauge monitored by the National Weather Service on the 2,339-foot middle peak of Mt. Tamalpais recorded 20 inches. The MMWD uses the gauge at Lake Lagunitas for its measurements.

 Libby said the deluge over the weekend was an unusual amount.

 "It helps quite a bit," Pischel said. "Going from 53 to 64 percent capacity in one week makes a difference."    

On Jan. 21, the district's board of directors requested a 25 percent voluntary reduction of water use. Pischel said that remains in effect, and the District will re-evaluate the water supply outlook and conservation measures in April.

State and local water officials said despite the recent heavy rain, drought conditions still exist. The North Bay received the brunt and benefit of the recent storms.

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