LAKEPORT — Clear Lake”s level as of May 1 determines how much water the Yolo County Flood Control and Water Conservation District can withdraw from Clear Lake for irrigation.
This year as of May 1 the lake level was at 5.89 feet on the Rumsey Gauge. The Solano Decree specifies the maximum amount of water that can be withdrawn in any given year.
This year according to the Solano Decree, Yolo County is entitled to approximately 82,000 acre feet of water. For example when Clear Lake is full at 7.56 feet on the Rumsey Gauge, Yolo County is entitled to 150,000 acre feet.
In order to balance the needs for recreation on Clear Lake and water use within Yolo County, withdrawals are limited by month to a maximum of the following percentages of the total withdrawal for each month, May: 18.6 percent, June: 20.6 percent, July: 21 percent, August: 19.9 percent, September: 10.5 percent and October: 2.4 percent.
Withdrawals during any month, except October, may exceed that month”s withdrawal by 10 percent or 1,000 acre-feet, whichever is greater. Such excess withdrawal is deducted from the allowable withdrawal for the next month. In addition, the October monthly withdrawal may be taken in any given month without affecting the following month”s scheduled withdrawal.
In addition to the maximum amount withdrawn, monthly minimum water levels must be maintained. These limitations are based on the adjusted May 1 lake level. If the adjusted May 1 lake level is above 7.56 feet Rumsey, the lake may not be drawn below 1.25 feet Rumsey on October 31.
