Cachuma Dam Scheduled to Make Downstream Releases
The U. S. Bureau of Reclamation will release water from Bradbury Dam starting at 8:00 a.m. on July 15, 2013. The release is being made at the request of the Santa Ynez River Water Conservation District to provide water to recharge the groundwater basins along the Santa Ynez River downstream of the Dam and on the Lompoc Plain. These groundwater basins provide an essential source of water for the cities and farming interests along the lower river.
Initially released at about 150 cubic feet per second (300 acre feet per day), the water will move downstream and is expected to reach Lompoc in about 10 days. It will be confined to the “low flow” channel of the river. The release is expected to continue into the fall, but at a lower rate once the water has reached the Lompoc area. The flow may impede traffic on low river crossings and caution is advised near moving water at all times.
The release is consistent with State water rights orders as well as agreements among users who store water in Lake Cachuma. Cachuma Reservoir stores water for the South Coast, Santa Ynez Valley, and downstream users from the Dam to Lompoc. The lake volume is estimated to decrease from about 113,500 acre-feet (61% capacity) in mid-July to about 85,000 acre-feet (45% capacity) by early December, the start of the winter rain season, as a result of continued deliveries to the South Coast, evaporation, fisheries releases and this water rights release. (The reservoir holds 186,600 acre-feet when full.)
Although the lake will be lower the Cachuma County Park will remain in full operation. Boat launch facilities are constructed so that all recreational activities can continue as lake levels change. For online park reservations go to: http://reservations.sbparks.org/ The U. S. Bureau of Reclamation will release water from Bradbury Dam starting at 8:00 a.m. on July 15, 2013. The release is being made at the request of the Santa Ynez River Water Conservation District to provide water to recharge the groundwater basins along the Santa Ynez River downstream of the Dam and on the Lompoc Plain. These groundwater basins provide an essential source of water for the cities and farming interests along the lower river.
Initially released at about 150 cubic feet per second (300 acre feet per day), the water will move downstream and is expected to reach Lompoc in about 10 days. It will be confined to the “low flow” channel of the river. The release is expected to continue into the fall, but at a lower rate once the water has reached the Lompoc area. The flow may impede traffic on low river crossings and caution is advised near moving water at all times.
The release is consistent with State water rights orders as well as agreements among users who store water in Lake Cachuma. Cachuma Reservoir stores water for the South Coast, Santa Ynez Valley, and downstream users from the Dam to Lompoc. The lake volume is estimated to decrease from about 113,500 acre-feet (61% capacity) in mid-July to about 85,000 acre-feet (45% capacity) by early December, the start of the winter rain season, as a result of continued deliveries to the South Coast, evaporation, fisheries releases and this water rights release. (The reservoir holds 186,600 acre-feet when full.)
Although the lake will be lower the Cachuma County Park will remain in full operation. Boat launch facilities are constructed so that all recreational activities can continue as lake levels change. For online park reservations go to: http://reservations.sbparks.org/