Spring Thaws Mean Waterfalls...the time to fall for Water in California

Californians have been given the message: Water is a precious commodity and the amount of it is not enough to meet everyone's needs. That's why the public loves its water, and falls for waterfalls during the spring thaw.

Snow melts from the Sierra Mountains create a beautiful site, a great ride for white water rafting trips, and the ideal time to tour the areas where waterfalls exist.

Several best bets for waterfall sightings in Calif. are the Shasta Cascade in Northern California, and Yosemite National Park,  in late April and early May, when maximum viewing exists. We've been there in the spring and seen several. They mesmerize tourists who drive hundreds of miles or fly thousands of miles distance to enjoy California's outdoor resources and attractions.

Waterfalls can be seen in Northern California's Shasta Cascade:

Whiskeytown Falls - Whiskeytown National Recreational Area

Frazier Falls - Lakes Basin Recreation Area

Kings Creek Falls  - Lassen Volcanic National Park

McCloud Falls - McCloud

Grey Falls - west of Burnt Ranch

Feather Falls - Lake Oroville

Burney Falls, located in Burney McArthur State Park

Waterfalls in Yosemite National Park peak activity in May

Vernal Fall -  at Glacier Point... narrows and separates into one, two, or three falls as water flows decrease

Nevada Fall - from Mist Trail  (594 feet)

Ribbon Fall seemingly falls out of the sky on an overcast day

Ribbon Fall- from just beyond the turn for Bridalveil Fall on the drive into Yosemite Valley  (1,612 feet)

Horsetail Fall from east of El Capitan (1,000 feet)

Illilouette Fall -  Panorama Trail, a few miles from Glacier Point   (370 feet)

Wapama Falls - from the parking lot at O’Shaughnessy Dam at Hetch Hetchy Valley (1,400 feet)

Chilnualna Falls - hike in Wawona on steep trail (2,200 feet)

Waterfalls normally run considerably lower in late summer. Water for Californians massive population and farming comes from the snow melt and water that flows from the mountains in waterfalls and streams to reservoirs that capture the fresh water source.  Waterfalls offer visual beauty and sounds as the water rushes from steep mountains down rocks, along crevices and spills into lakes, rivers and streams.

The human body is 55 to 60% water, and blood is approx. 95% water.  Humans lose about 1 cup of water each day through normal breathing and activities.

California was in its third year of water drought and citizens were urged to cut back use of water by 20% back in 2009. 2010 brought above average rainfall, and some splendid waterfalls viewing.