John Palminteri
SANTA YNEZ VALLEY, Calif. (KEYT) – The largest water source for fishing, camping, and recreation operated by Santa Barbara County Parks is still welcoming visitors, but most boaters are on the sidelines.
Vessel launching and boat rentals are currently on hold.
Private boaters are allowed to launch but there are warnings because of debris and other issues.
Heavy rains have sent the Santa Ynez River flowing from the upper elevations to the Lompoc Valley, and in the middle is Cachuma Lake. It is seeing an inflow of debris and trees that are maritime hazards.
Visitors can see them on the lake and on the shores, including around the boat launch ramp area.
Park rangers have been busy making sure the larger floating logs and trees are cleared and special efforts are in place to capture large areas of floating debris that makes the area dangerous and murky.
The Cachuma Lake Recreation Area is currently monitoring the situation and will reopen all areas when it is safe.
Cachuma Lake Naturalist Parker Medel has also served as a Ranger. “We encourage people to come out and hike and see the current lake level, it is pretty astonishing. If you have been here in the last month lake rise is very cool to see. Saturday natural walks are available.”
In mid December the lake level was 76 percent but with massive amounts of rain water gushing in from all directions it is now coming out at a solid rate from Bradbury dam with a runoff that was shared by a student photographer Chris Pagliaro from San Diego State. He flew a drone overhead to take a look
“The whole spillway was full of water and the river was flowing super hard and I haven’t every seen that,” he said. Pagliaro is familiar with the area having gone to Dos Pueblos High in Goleta. Even though some of the water is brown and dirty on the lake he said, “but down below the dam it looked pretty clear.”
For those hoping to get out on the water for fishing and a tour of the area… there are some limitations. Medel said, “the lake is open for the private vessel launching. We just advise that boaters and vessel operators be careful. There’s a lot of debris flowing through. “
The park operators want to keep the lake and all the facilities as functional as possible as often as possible but they will watch the weather changes day by day.
Medel said, “but social media currently will be the best way to stay up to date. It could change in a moments notice so we appreciate the publics patience with us.”
Vince Wood is a Santa Barbara resident who remembers when it wasn’t a lake in the early 50’s, only a ranch. He also recalls hiking and scout outings in the area along with a bridge that is covered with the water now. Looking out he said, “I took a picture of it so I can remember what it looks like when it is full!”
At the Hook’d Bar and Grill waterfront dining has been a big draw and many people have been enjoying the refreshing sight.
Owner Dustin Farnum says, “we closed a couple of days due to you (weather.) You really couldn’t even open the door and it was wild keeping people from coming on the roads. We are open seven days a week rain or shine.” He says the design was for a lodge feeling for those coming in to eat, hear music or have a drink.
The restaurant had customers inside and outside facing the lake on Tuesday under sunny skies with puffy clouds. It was a big change from the aggressive storms recently.
When things calm down boaters will return, those who love fishing will be back out, kayakers will launch, the lake tours will resume and the campground will fill up.
For day use, the park is open at 6 a.m. until sunset. Camping facilities are also open with about 500 sites.
Cachuma also has extensive outdoor recreation and overnight locations including yurts, cabins and RV/tent sites. While lake is closed there’s still hiking, disc golf, and wildlife viewing including many migrating birds. Medel says there are many eagles in the area this time of year.
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