Cachuma Lake Near Full Capacity, Santa Barbara County Considers Swimming Access
Tracy Lehr
SANTA BARBARA COUNTY, Calif. — Cachuma Lake is busy, even on a Monday.
Visitors aren’t just camping, fishing, and boating, they’re also checking out the water level.
Mary Lee Knecht, regional chief with the Bureau of Reclamation, said the reservoir’s elevation is currently 744.62 feet. It’s at 87 percent capacity, holding 167,985 acre-feet of water.
People who have seen the lake at extreme lows say they’re loving the current view.
Matt Eaton, a Solvang resident, spent his May 5 birthday on the water with friends.
“We went out this morning on a boat and toured the whole lake,” Eaton said. “You can see some of the historic water levels that were a little bit higher at one point, but we were right below that high water mark, and it was beautiful.”
Blake Dolton stopped by the lake on his way back from wine tasting in the Santa Ynez Valley. He said he immediately called friends to tell them about the view.
The county has spent millions on improvements and plans to open an updated RV park once PG&E connects power to the site.
Officials are also forming an ad hoc committee, made up of Supervisors Steve Lavagnino and Joan Hartmann, to consider allowing swimming at the reservoir. The idea was discussed during the April 1 Board of Supervisors meeting.
Dustin Farnum, owner of Hook’d Bar and Grill, said he supports allowing swimming to make the lake more family friendly.
But some anglers, including Karl Stansell of North Carolina, expressed concerns that allowing swimming could lead to other water sports, like waterskiing. The former Coast Guard member also warned about the risk of contaminated mussels that may come from boats used on other lakes.
Supervisors Lavagnino and Hartmann are expected to revisit the issue in a year, along with the possibility of lowering RV hookup fees for local residents.
The current RV fees recently increased from $50 to $85 per night during the off-season, and from $55 to $95 during peak season.
Peak season also coincides with fire season.
Santa Barbara County Fire spokesperson Scott Safechuck said the department is pleased to see the lake level so high. He added that the recent rain and improved water levels will be helpful as high fire season begins next month.
Still, Safechuck reminded residents that the county remains in a drought and urged property owners to clear defensible space around their homes by June 1.