No Rain But There's Enough Water ... For Now

Let's get the bad news out of the way.

First, it hasn't rained at all in January in the East Bay.

In addition, East Bay Municipal Utility District officials told their board members last week there has only been 3.3 inches of precipitation so far this season (which began July 1) in the East Bay. That's 28 percent of normal.

The Mokelumne Basin has received only 5.6 inches of precipitation this season. That's 29 percent of average.

On the good side, the runoff in the East Bay MUD watershed areas from last season was 188 percent of normal. Precipitation in both the East Bay and Mokelumne Basin were well above average.

That means the district's three reservoirs have plenty of water in them right now. Pardee Reservoir is at 84 percent of total capacity. Camanche Reservoir is at 62 percent of capacity while the East Bay reservoirs are at 82 percent.

The National Weather Service predicts a 50 percent chance of rain for El Cerrito Wednesday during the day with rain likely Wednesday night and Thursday.