RESERVOIRS IN GOOD SHAPE DESPITE LOW RAINFALL
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Thanks primarily to heavy storms in December, and again in early February, MMWD's reservoirs contain slightly above-average storage levels today. But customers' ongoing conservation efforts have also made a difference. Our running 12-month production figures show a reduction of 15% since mid-March 2014. As we head into the warm summer months, conservation will be even more critical to the preservation of our existing supply. Here are the current water statistics:
- Reservoir Levels - As of March 15, reservoir storage is 76,820 acre-feet,* or 97% of capacity. The average for this date is 72,119 acre-feet, or 91% of capacity.
- Rainfall - Rainfall this year to date (July 1, 2014 - March 15, 2015) is 36.88 inches. Average for the same period is 43.07 inches; last year on this date we had 26.91 inches.
- Water Use - Water use for the week of March 9-15 averaged 19.69 million gallons per day, up from 15.41 million gallons per day for the same week last year.
- Creek Releases - During the month of February 2015 MMWD released 433 million gallons, or 1,328 acre-feet, into Lagunitas and Walker creeks in west Marin for habitat enhancement.
Water use and reservoir figures are updated weekly and can be found on our Water Watch page.
*One acre-foot is 325,851 gallons
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MMWD CUSTOMERS IN STEP WITH REST OF STATE
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As California enters a fourth year of drought,  a new statewide poll commissioned by the Association of California Water Agencies reveals that the vast majority of Californians--some 90%--are willing to make significant changes to conserve water both indoors and out. MMWD's water production figures for the last year show that district customers are in that majority, having reduced water use 15% since last year. More than 80% of state residents believe it's important to conserve water regardless of whether the state is in drought or whether conservation is mandated by local water agencies. Survey results from the statewide poll of 801 registered voters, commissioned in partnership with the statewide conservation education program Save Our Water, are available online.
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One popular hiking destination on Mt. Tamalpais is Little Carson Falls, a vigorous hike outside of Fairfax. If you go between now and early June, you may be lucky enough to see the foothill yellow-legged frog, Rana Boylii, a native to parts of the Mt. Tamalpais Watershed. The foothill yellow-legged frog is listed as both a federal and state species of special concern, which means its population is in decline. In fact, this species has disappeared from more than 45% of its historic range in Oregon and California due to habitat loss and degradation, disease, and the introduction of exotic predators.