A tide like that prevents the normal drainage from all the creeks and streams that normally drain into the bay. It's like a dam. You combine a 7-foot tide with 15- to 20-foot seas, and you can see why people are worried. Luckily, it's not a commute morning. |
If it stopped right now, we would have enough water in storage for two years of drought. They have already had an entire season's worth of accumulated rain and snow. |
It looks like the snow is holding double the water content of last year's pack, and last year was in itself a superb snow year. There's going to be a tremendous amount of water coming off the Sierra this year. |
That would affect of course the Russian River drainage, some of the drainage around Mount Tam, Corte Madera Creek. |
When you get five inches of rain in less than 24 hours, combine that with high tides, we certainly could see some back-up of creeks and streams. |
You get a 6- or 7-foot high tide, it's like a 2-foot wall backing up the flood water, preventing it from going out into the bay. Luckily, even though tides will be building next week, none will be unusually high. |