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As someone whose Uncle was chief of flood protection for the State of California for more than 30 years, and me a former appointee in California w/a front row seat to all infrastructures, especially water, AND a resident of this region who walks this lake weekly and knows the spillway and the source and destination of these waters—I can attest the community notes citing Folsom Dam and details of the water’s destination (not the ocean gheesh) are 100% accurate. This tweet (except volume) is 100% false. California has an exceptionally sophisticated and efficient watershed, water distribution, and agricultural water system. Anyone capable of using Grok, Google, or picking up the phone to call any member of this State’s water infrastructure responsible for its care, including any member of the corp of engineers who built it, would know it’s false. Here are the facts: Part I: Folsom Lake, Folsom Dam, and Water Flow Operations: A Detailed Outline and Analysis 1. Introduction to Folsom Lake and Folsom Dam •Location: Folsom Lake is in Northern California, spanning parts of Sacramento, Placer, and El Dorado counties. •Primary Purpose: The lake was created by the Folsom Dam, which was built by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers and is operated by the U.S. Bureau of Reclamation. •Key Functions: •Flood control •Water supply •Hydropower generation •Recreational use •Environmental and fishery management 2. Water Inflows into Folsom Lake Folsom Lake primarily receives water from three major tributaries: A. American River Watershed •North Fork of the American River •Originates in the Sierra Nevada, east of Auburn, California. •Contributes significant snowmelt runoff during spring and summer. •Middle Fork of the American River •Begins near Granite Chief Wilderness in the Sierra Nevada. •Flows through reservoirs such as Oxbow and Ralston before reaching Folsom Lake. •South Fork of the American River •Begins near Echo Summit in the Sierra Nevada. •Flows through Coloma, a historically significant Gold Rush area. •Receives inflows from reservoirs like Slab Creek and Chili Bar. B. Rainfall and Snowmelt •Direct precipitation into the lake and runoff from nearby watersheds contribute to seasonal fluctuations. •Snowmelt from the Sierra Nevada serves as a crucial water source, especially during spring and early summer. C. Local Tributaries and Streams •Several smaller creeks and drainage systems contribute to inflows, including Mormon Ravine and other minor tributaries. 3. The Role and Operations of Folsom Dam A. Structural Overview •Construction: Completed in 1955. •Height: 340 feet. •Length: 1,400 feet. •Capacity: Folsom Lake can store approximately 977,000 acre-feet of water at full capacity. •Hydropower Plant: Located at the base of the dam, it generates electricity through controlled water releases. B. Operational Functions 1.Flood Control •One of the dam’s primary purposes is flood management for the Sacramento Valley. •Releases are adjusted seasonally to prevent downstream flooding, particularly in winter and spring. 2.Water Supply •Provides municipal and industrial water for Sacramento County and surrounding areas. •Used for irrigation by local agricultural users and regional water districts. 3.Hydropower Generation •Water is released through turbines to generate electricity for local and regional use. •Operated in coordination with other California hydroelectric facilities. 4.Environmental and Fishery Management •Controlled releases help maintain river habitats downstream, particularly for fish populations. •Water temperatures are regulated to support salmon and steelhead spawning in the lower American River. 5.Recreation and Tourism •Folsom Lake is a major recreation area with boating, fishing, camping, and hiking. •Managed by California State Parks and the Bureau of Reclamation.