INCREASE RESERVOIR CAPACITY

MMWD engineering studies have concluded that there is a potential to increase the capacity of the existing resevoir by about 1000 acre-feet, only a little over one per cent of the existing 80000 acre-feet storage capacity.

Note that this is only done by improving certain operational activities. It is not done by raising the height of the dams, nor releasing less water for fish protection, actions which have precluded by various regulatory agencies.

While the engineering study also shows that this is the lowest cost means of expanding capacity, about $400 per acre-foot, the amount involved is so small that it does not significantly influence the need for additional new capacity.

Even if done, this only supplies new storage capacity. While useful if we are only subject to short term shortages, which can be buffered by the surplus storage capacity, it would be of now value as a new water supply in the event of a long term climate change causing a rainfall accumulation to be less than the annual need.