February 13, 2019 - FRESNO, Calif.— Pacific Gas and Electric Company (PG&E) is cautioning those who live or work near rivers and streams to be aware of higher flows brought on by recent rains 
and potentially spilling reservoirs.
It is possible that PG&E’s Bass Lake/Crane Valley Dam will reach spill levels Wednesday or Thursday as heavy warm rains melt recent snowfall. Currently Bass Lake is at 3,364.23 feet of elevation. The spill gates are located at 3,365.7 feet, and inflows are slowly increasing.
It’s not unusual for PG&E ‘s reservoirs to spill during the wettest parts of normal winters, because they tend to have less storage and are located at much higher elevations than state and federal multi-year water storage reservoirs like Millerton Lake and Pine Flat. PG&E’s reservoirs are designed to capture rain and snowmelt runoff in winter, spring and early summer to generate clean, renewable hydroelectric power.
Below are some water safety tips:
Water Safety Tips
- Sudden immersion in cold water can stimulate the “gasp reflex,” causing an involuntary inhalation of air or water. It can even trigger cardiac arrest, temporary paralysis, hypothermia and drowning. When faced with swift water, even the strongest swimmers may be easily overwhelmed.
- Cold water entering the ear canal can cause vertigo and disorientation. This may confuse swimmers, causing them to venture deeper into the water.
- Recreating in PG&E canals and flumes is strictly prohibited. Stay out of canals and flumes, which are very dangerous due to slippery sides and fast moving water.
About PG&E
Pacific Gas and Electric Company, a subsidiary of PG&E Corporation (NYSE:PCG), is one of the largest combined natural gas and electric energy companies in the United States. Based in San Francisco, the company delivers some of the nation’s cleanest energy to nearly 16 million people in Northern and Central California. For more information, visit www.pge.com/ and pge.com/news.
Source: PG&E
