January & February 2023 Storms - Santa Ynez River & Cachuma Reservoir
Summary of updates for the January and February 2023 Storms - Santa Ynez River & Cachuma Reservoir
February 25, 2023 - 4:30 pm
United States Bureau of Reclamation (Reclamation) advised SYRWCD that the Cachuma Reservoir was past the peak inflow of 31,000 cfs and maximum discharge of 25,000 cfs generated by the unexpectedly severe February storm event. As of February 25, at 4:30 pm, releases at the dam were 14,500 cfs and expect to be reduced each hour in compliance with National Marine Fisheries Service reviewed ramp down tables.
Reclamation anticipates reaching a controlled discharge of 2,000 cfs no earlier than 9:00 am on Sunday 2/26, but may pause the ramp down for an hour at a time if reservoir inflow is higher than the planned reduction. Once reservoir discharge reaches 2,000 cfs, they plan to hold releases steady, as needed, to establish sufficient storage volume to drink in the persistent runoff from the past storm as well as the rainfall anticipated in the next few days. Current estimates have the approximate reservoir elevation of 751 ft.
February 24, 2023 - ANOTHER Increase in Release (#4)
11:45 pm USBR INCREASED Release of Water to 25,000 cfs
United States Bureau of Reclamation (Reclamation) advised SYRWCD that due to continued aggressive storm runoff and the forecast of additional of storm cells over the watershed at Lake Cachuma, they adjusted spillway releases to 25,000 cfs at 11:45 pm. They will continue to monitor reservoir elevation and runoff as the storm develops.
Reclamation also answered questions that had been raised regarding the transit time of increased water to The Narrows and Lompoc. They advised that as their experience with" 89-18" water rights releases shows, it is not easy to predict the exact transit time from Bradbury Dam to The Narrows, but the gate testing on 2/8/2023 had a transit time of 23 hours. Since the transit time tends to shorten with higher flows, the current transit time is anticipated to be between 4 and 23 hours.
Here is a link to see the Santa Ynez River water levels with USGS Stream Sensor at Lompoc Narrows
February 24, 2023 - ANOTHER Increase in Release (#3)
7:45 pm USBR INCREASED Release of Water to 20,000 cfs
United States Bureau of Reclamation (Reclamation) advised SYRWCD that due to continued aggressive increases in the storm runoff at Lake Cachuma they have adjusted the spillway releases to 20,000 cfs at 7:45 pm. They will continue to monitor reservoir elevation and runoff as the storm develops.
**Increased from 2,000 cfs Thursday to 20,000 cfs late evening on Friday.
Follow the Santa Ynez River water levels with USGS Stream Sensors. Here are the links:
- Santa Ynez River at Los Laureles
- Santa Ynez River at Solvang (Alisal Bridge)
- Santa Ynez River at Lompoc Narrows
February 24, 2023 - INCREASED RELEASE (#1 & #2)
USBR INCREASED Release of Water to 15,000 cfs
At 6:45 pm, due to continued aggressive increases in the storm runoff at Lake Cachuma, Reclamation increased the Spillway release down the Santa Ynez River to 15,000 cfs ** at 6:45 pm, Friday, February 24, 2023. They will continue to monitor the reservoir elevation and runoff as the storm develops.
**Increased from 2,000 cfs Thursday to 15,000 cfs early evening on Friday.
At 5:15 pm:
United States Bureau of Reclamation (Reclamation) advised SYRWCD that due to the peak of the storm arriving sooner and more stong than earlier projections, Reclamation increased the Spillway release water from Lake Cachuma down the Santa Ynez River from 2,000 cfs to 8,000 cfs at 5:15 pm on Friday, February 24, 2023.
February 23, 2023 Update
Release estimated to begin Thursday, February 23, 2023 about 9:00 am.
United States Bureau of Reclamation (Reclamation) advised SYRWCD that Reclamation expects to initiate a controlled release water from Lake Cachuma though the Bradbury Dam Spillway Gates down the Santa Ynez River beginning Thursday, February 23, 2023 about 9:00 a.m. with a release flow of about 2,000 cfs.
Instances of Spillway controlled releases are expected to continue for several days, with adjustments made as appropriate. However, Reclamation may not be able to provide advanced notice of operational changes. They will continue to monitor the weather conditions as another storm is forecast for next week.
February 22, 2023 Update
With Another Strong Rain Storm Forecast, USBR May Release Water Down the Santa Ynez River
Release estimated to begin Wednesday or Thursday, February 22 or 23, 2023
Cachuma Lake is full and rain is forecast over the next five days. United States Bureau of Reclamation (Reclamation) advised SYRWCD that Reclamation expects to release water from Lake Cachuma though the Bradbury Dam Spillway Gates down the Santa Ynez River beginning either late Wednesday, February 22, 2023 or morning of Thursday, February 23, 2023. The maximum flow rate will be about 2,000 cfs. Reclamation will review updated forecasts and coordinate with the County of Santa Barbara to determine the day and time to initiate the Spillway operations.
February 13, 2023 Update
USBR Released Water from Lake Cachuma Down the Santa Ynez River
On Wednesday, February 8, 2023, the United States Bureau of Reclamation (Reclamation) performed a Bradbury Dam Spillway Exercise at Lake Cachuma which released water down the Santa Ynez River. Reclamation advised the SYRWCD that the Exercise was successfull and intial calcuations indicate a net volume release of between 300 acre-feet to 400 acre-feet of water (1 acre-foot = 325,851 gallons of water). When the Exercise began on February 8th, Lake Cachuma elevation was 752.87 feet and on the morning of February 12th, the elevation was 752.89, indicating recovery of the net volume released for the Exercise.
Reclamation expects that the lake will continue its mild rise which may possibly necessitate a Spillway relase within the next 10 days.
February 8, 2023 Update
USBR Increased Quantity of Water Expected to be Released Down the Santa Ynez River
United States Bureau of Reclamation (Reclamation) advised SYRWCD that, after discussions with the National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS), Reclamation revised the plan to perform the Spillway Exercise on Wednesday, February 8th to start about 10:00 am and end about 4:00 pm with the maximum resulting flow rate being about 4,100 cfs (increased from 2,000 cfs).
The Revised Spillway Exercise still falls within the parameters called for in Reclamation's Standard Operating Procedures and the flowrate of 4,100 cfs is well within the safe channel capacity of the Santa Ynez River which is about 15,500 cfs. Expected benefits of the increased maximum flowrate include flushing and clearing out debris and sediments as well as an opportunity to operate some spillway gates to larger openings (maximum of two-feet) and observe their performance.
February 6, 2023 Update
On February 8, 2023, USBR Plans to Release Water Down the Santa Ynez River
Wednesday, February 8, 2023, approximately 10:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m.
United States Bureau of Reclamation (USBR or Reclamation) advised SYRWCD that Reclamation will release water from Lake Cachuma though the Bradbury Dam Spillway Gates on Wednesday, February 8, 2023. The release is expected to begin about 10:00 a.m. and conclude around 12:00 p.m. Each of the four Spillway Gates will be operated separately and in tandem at various setting intervals that range from one-inch to one-foot. The maximum resulting flow rate will be about 2,000 cfs. The exercizing of the Bradbury Dam Spillway Gates with water releases is in accordance to Reclamation's Standard Operating Procedures.
January 26, 2023 Update
USBR Continues to Defers Water Release Down the Santa Ynez River
From USBR: The Lake level has risen about 1.4 feet since the January 21, 2023, going from an elevation of 750.40 feet to 751.74 feet. Inflows are currently less than 1000 acre-feet or 500 cfs per day and no significant rain is expected for the next 7 days. Should inflows remain at this level and slightly recede USBR may be able to manage them by just operating the Outlet Works, without the need for a relatively mild release over the Spillway. USBR continues to monitor conditions and provide updates.
January 19, 2023 Update
USBR Continues to Defers Water Release Down the Santa Ynez River
Next update is expected Saturday, January 21, 2023. Read more.
January 18, 2023 Update
SANTA BARBARA COUNTY DECLARED ELIGIBLE FOR INDIVIDUAL ASSISTANCE
Impacted residents encouraged to apply for assistance. Read more.
January 15, 2023 Update
USBR Continues to Defer a Planned Release Down the Santa Ynez River
Bradbury Dam Spillway planned release by USBR down the Santa Ynez River continues to be delayed. Read more.
January 13, 2023 Update
USBR's PLANNED RELEASE FOR FLOOD CONTROL EFFORTS
Bradbury Dam Spillway planned release by USBR to the Santa Ynez River is DELAYED. Read more.
Santa Barbara County Hydrology Real-time Information
Rainfall Table
Here is a LINK to Santa Barbara County's Real-Time Rainfall Table for specific locations.
Reservoir Levels Map
Here is a LINK to Santa Barbara County's Real-Time Reservoir Levels Map.
United States Bureau of Reclamation
Cachuma Daily Operations Table
Here is a LINK to Reclamation's Cachuma Daily Operations Table: a daily summary of storage, inflows, and quantity of water released per outlet location from Cachuma Reservoir.
Santa Barbara County Office of Emergency Management
Here is a LINK to January 2023 Storm updates, preparedness, and Recovery Resources.
Recovery Resources
The County is working to gather resources for community members impacted by the January 2023 winter storm event. In the coming days, this ReadySBC.org January Storm Recovery webpage will be a source of information, including links for wellness counseling support, housing assistance, information to aid in rebuilding, permitting, hazardous material clean-up, loss of business or employment, and other topics.
Register to Receive ReadySBC Alerts
If you haven't registered for emergency alerts, please do so at ReadySBC.org.
For updated and detailed information, please visit ReadySBC.org or call Santa Barbara County's Emergency Call Center at (833) 688-5551 or 211.
