Title
Reservoir Storage & Release Update
Report
SUMMARY/DISCUSSION:
The Board of Directors receives monthly updates on the status of Agency reservoirs.
RESERVOIR ELEVATION / STORAGE: As of May 11, San Antonio Reservoir has a water surface elevation of approximately 753.9 feet (NGVD 29), with 211,210 acre-feet of water in storage. Nacimiento Reservoir has a water surface elevation of approximately 771.15 feet, with 243,715 acre-feet of water in storage. San Antonio Reservoir is currently at 63% of storage capacity and Nacimiento Reservoir is at 62% of capacity.
RAINFALL: There was no significant rain in late April or early May. Light rains have kept the Nacimiento River channel wetted above the reservoir, but flow is not significant.
SALINAS RIVER LAGOON: Following warm weather in March and startup of the Salinas River Diversion Facility (SRDF) in early April, the Salinas Lagoon closed to the ocean on April 10, 2026. The lagoon remains closed to the ocean.
RESERVOIR RELEASES: Releases of the 2026 conservation release season began from Nacimiento reservoir on March 26, 2026. Conservation releases began from San Antonio Reservoir on April 6, 2026. Due to warming weather, releases have been increasing throughout early May.
Releases as of May 11, 2026:
• Nacimiento Reservoir: 280 cfs
• San Antonio Reservoir: 130 cfs
Total releases from both reservoirs to the Salinas River are approximately 410 cfs. The following “provisional” flows have been recorded by the USGS:
• Nacimiento River below Nacimiento Dam: 258 cfs
• Salinas River near Bradley: 351 cfs
• Salinas River near King City: 269 cfs
• Salinas River at Soledad: 200 cfs
• Salinas River near Chualar: 91 cfs
• Salinas River near Spreckels: 59 cfs
Prepared by: Joseph Klein, Hydrologist (831) 755-4860