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2/7/2025
WT Staff
Got water questions? Give us a call at 877-52-WATER (877-529-2837), or email us at info@watertoday.ca
February 7, 2025 1205 pm PST
Pit River flooding in the upper Central Valley
Streamflow Situation from the network of US Geological Survey river monitoring stations in California
San Joaquin Valley is 59 degrees with a slight chance of rain today, ahead of a freeze warning going into effect Saturday night.
The Pit River reached major flood stage as predicted. An atmospheric river storm event sparked high flows and floods through the North Coast, San Francisco and Central Valley watershed regions. In the upper basin of the Central Valley watershed Region 5, Pit River achieved major flood stage as forecast by NWS. The water level hit major flood stage 10 ft on Tuesday afternoon, rising to a peak flow above 11 ft by Tuesday evening. The water level has been generally receding since Tuesday night. As of Friday noon, Pit River is flowing 9 ft deep near Canby, just at the threshold of moderate flood stage, half a foot above minor flood stage.
NWS rates the flood stages for a section of the river called a "reach", a unit of varying description that behaves in a consistent way.
River flooding: NWS Hydrology Terminology
Action Stage: Use Caution! Action is taken for possible high water. Water may cause minor impacts and be a nuisance to persons near the stream. Local governments or agencies may take actions to reduce property damage and danger to life.
Minor Flood Stage: Take action! Some property flooding and public threat may occur. Roadways, trails, park land, and private property near the stream may become flooded.
Moderate Flood Stage: Take action! Flooding of structures and main roadways may occur. Residences and numerous roadways near the stream may become flooded. Evacuations may be necessary. Disruptions to daily life.
Major Flood Stage: Take action! Extensive flooding of structures, main roadways, and other critical infrastructure may occur. Schools, hospitals, police stations, fire stations, residences, businesses, and roadways may become flooded. Evacuations may be necessary. Significant disruptions to daily life.
San Francisco is 55 degrees with drizzle. Los Angeles is 60 degrees with a slight chance of isolated showers. There is mist in San Diego, 63 degrees with a 50% chance of rain before 4 pm.
See the front page map for high flow and flood details, black tags for flood, blue for 99th percentile high flows.
On the drought map, Colorado River watershed remains in moderate drought in Central Riverside and Imperial Counties. Lahontan watershed remains below normal through Inyo and San Bernardino Counties.
Safe Drinking Water Advisories
Sierra County: Downieville experienced a BWA this week after microbiological contamination was found in the water supply. The public utility serves 783 residents from a surface water source in Pauley Creek, upstream of the confluence with Downie River in Central Valley Region 5 watershed. According to the US EPA Enforcement and Compliance History online, Downieville Public Utility Department runs a tidy operation. The last state sanitary survey was completed in July 2022 with no deficiencies noted and no recommendations made. The facility has a clean record, no serious violations and no issues of non-compliance with the Safe Drinking Water Act in the last three years. WTCAL.us has reached out for an update on the status of the advisory issued Monday, Feb 3. More to follow.
History of Downieville, the county seat of Sierra County, from the Sierra County Chamber of Commerce, indicates Downieville was almost selected as the capitol of California! From Sierra County Chamber of Commerce on line, "Gold was discovered here in the summer of 1849. By May 1850, Downieville had 15 hotels and gambling houses, 4 bakeries, and 4 butcher shops. 5,000 men wintered in Downieville that year. In the following spring, that population scattered into the surrounding hills and canyons in search of gold. As the population of the area grew, Downieville served as a trading center for the Northern Mines.
By the mid-1850s, Downieville was California’s fifth-largest town. In 1852 Downieville lost the bid to be the State Capitol to Sacramento by 10 votes. Today, Downieville retains much of its former character and many of its traditional functions." Downieville is located on Highway 49 at the fork of the North Yuba and Downie rivers.
See WTCAL.us Serious Violator List, here.
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