Spoon
Watershed Hydrology
The Spoon Watershed (HUC 07130005) covers an area of approximately 1,600 square miles in northeastern California and southern Oregon. The watershed is primarily fed by snowmelt, with much of the land area covered in forested mountains and deep valleys. The snowpack in the region is a critical source of water for downstream communities and agriculture. Surface water in the Spoon Watershed is managed by a number of reservoirs, including Iron Gate Reservoir and Copco Lake. These reservoirs are used for water storage, flood control, and hydroelectric power generation. Interesting climatic facts include the region's hot and dry summers, which can lead to an increased risk of wildfires, and the occasional winter storm that can bring significant snowfall to the mountains. Trends in the region include decreasing snowpack levels due to climate change, which could have significant impacts on water management in the future.