USBR's PLANNED RELEASE FOR FLOOD CONTROL EFFORTS

Bradbury Dam Spillway planned release by USBR to the Santa Ynez River is DELAYED. 

January 13, 2023 (3:30 pm)

Based on additional weather forecast data, USBR has made the decision to defer the planned spillway release. The target release rate remains unchanged at 2,000 cfs but the initiation is dependent on the observed precipitation over the next 24-48 hours.  

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January 12, 2023, United States Bureau of Reclamation (USBR or Reclamation) met with the Santa Ynez River Water Conservation District and other local agencies.  As of January 12, 2023, Cachuma Reservoir was nearing capacity and approaching the point of uncontrolled spilling over the dam.  Reclamation's planned spillway release of approximately 2,000 cfs is a flood control effort to protect lives and property along the Santa Ynez River downstream of Cachuma Reservoir.  The plan adjusts as needed based on the weather forcast and actual percipitation received.  Reclamation notified us of a planned release expected to commence on Saturday, January 14, 2023 at 10:00am. The release timing may be adjusted. 

This release is not a downstream users water rights release like the summer/fall releases that are requested and managed by Santa Ynez River Water Conservation District.

These photos, provided by Reclamation, give you a sense of the naturally occuring turbidity in the Santa Ynez River mainstem downstream of  Bradbury Dam and the debris that has floated to the upstream face of the dam near the spillway, which will also end up in the river mainstem independent of when spillway releases are made.

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 by 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.

Lompoc Police Department - Press Release

(LINK TO PRESS RELEASE) Santa Barbara County Sheriff Fly Over Santa Ynez River  - The Santa Barbara County Sheriff Department's Air Support Unit will be flying its helicopter along the Santa Ynez River on Friday and Saturday. The helicopter will provide evacuation warnings to those occupying the Riverbed, as there is another storm system anticipated to land in the area this weekend.