May 2, 2023— Kings County Board of Supervisors
Documented by Josef Sibala
What happened: At its Tuesday meeting, the Kings County Board of Supervisors renewed the declaration of a local emergency due to flood conditions in the county since “extreme peril to the safety of persons and property” continues as snowpack melts and travels to the Tulare Lake Basin.
On March 10, the county’s emergency services director first proclaimed a local emergency due to flood conditions, which continued throughout the first quarter of 2023 as the the Tulare Lake Basin experienced unprecedented precipitation due to 12 atmospheric rivers.
As of April, the 6-Station precipitation index for the Tulare Lake Basin was equivalent to the precipitation recorded during the wettest period in 1968-1969.
The California Department of Water Resources conducted snow surveys and reported that as of April 7, the statewide snow water content is 246% higher than the average amount recorded.
In the southern region, where the watershed for Tulare Lake is situated, the snow water content was 296% of the average.
Estimated runoff from the snowpack grossly exceeds the capacity of reservoirs along the Kings River, Kaweah River, Tule River and Kern Rivers, according to the staff report.
Prolonged high releases from these reservoirs are anticipated to flow into Tulare Lake this spring and into the summer months.
According to information in the staff report, these flows will cause additional flooding of Tulare Lake and other portions of Kings County. They will severely stress the water conveyance infrastructure in Kings County and the region, resulting from erosion caused by high velocities and seepage from elevated water surface levels in the channels.
County Counsel Diane Freeman said that initial damage estimates due to flooding exceed $43 million and additional damage is anticipated.
Up next: The Kings County Board of Supervisors will meet again on May 16.
