Heavy rainfall during late January has partly replenished many of California's reservoirs that sank to record low levels as a result of the prolonged drought in western states.

Lake Oroville, the state’s second largest reservoir is now at 115 percent of the historical average for the beginning of February, up from 61 percent recorded in February 2021 and 77 percent in February 2022.  In August 2021 the Hyatt hydroelectric power plant at Lake Oroville was closed due to low water level with generation resumed in January.  The plant can supply 800,000 homes and Lake Oroville provides water to 29 agencies serving 27 million in California in addition to irrigation for 750,000 acres of farmland.

Additional rainfall will be required to replenished depleted aquifers especially in the California Central Valley.  The situation in the Colorado River Basin is still critical with record low levels for Lake Meade and Lake Powell supplying water to 40 million in seven western states.