The truth of matter is that the water from the Morris Dam is limited in quantity, and in the overall supply picture, it is literary a drop in the bucket.

The Morris Dam along with the San Gabriel Dam serve two functions – flood control and water conservation. Prior to each rain season, the dams are emptied to a level that can hold back water during rain season to prevent flood condition down stream. As the rain season progresses, more water will be held back and these water will be released in the following summer or fall to replenish ground water in different aquifers within the San Gabriel Valley and along the San Gabriel River, extending the area down to Long Beach.

Currently, there are about 225,000 gallons per minute of water being released from the Morris Dam. As this water travel down the river, percolation takes place along the way which replenishes the water that has been pumped from the aquifers by various water purveyors. As a result of the current drought and no imported water to replenish the aquifers, water that is presently flowing down the San Gabriel River is not even sufficient to keep the ground water level at status quote, which is already below the average level at this time of the year.

Drought is not over, but citizens can take comfort that we are working diligently to make sure there will be water for everyone.