Reconnaissance water-balance study of Lake Gregory, California

A study was made to determine the magnitude and distribution of the surface-water inflow and outflow (water balance) of the Lake Gregory basin in southern California. Data were collected from April 1979 through June 1981. Runoff during the study period varied greatly with the majority of inflow occurring between December and May of each year. During 1980 and 1981 (through July 1981) precipitation totals at Lake Gregory were the maximum and minimum for the 19-year period of record. The average annual precipitation for the 3-year period 1979-81 was 47.4 inches, almost 10 inches greater than the long-term average, 1962-81, of 37.8 inches. Surface-water runoff in the Lake Gregory basin is highly dependent on annual precipitation, and total outflow for the 1980 water year and partial total for the 1981 (through June) water year was 7,230 acre-feet and 400 acre-feet, respectively. (USGS)