Thanks to a series of strong atmospheric river storms providing close to double the average rainfall throughout Santa Barbara County, Lake Cachuma is spilling again for the third time in four years. Especially unusual is how early in the rainy season these storms occurred. The lake began spilling in December and continued to spill until late March. Lake Cachuma is the Goleta Water District’s (District) most energy efficient and cost-effective source of water.
The Goleta Groundwater Basin has also benefited from the recent wet winters, allowing the District to turn off its wells and inject surface water into the basin under its unique Aquifer Storage and Recovery (ASR) program. As a result, this critical drought buffer has recovered to levels not seen in over a decade. The District is one of the few water agencies in California that is permitted to actively recharge its groundwater basin through injection, allowing water to be stored in wet years for use during future droughts.
Even before this season’s rainfall, the District was in a strong water supply position due to its diverse water portfolio, favorable rainfall over the last several years, and the fact that District customers are consistently among the lowest per capita water users in the state. This balanced approach helps ensure the Goleta Valley is prepared not only for wet years, but for dry ones as well. Maintaining reliable infrastructure and sustainable groundwater production capacity remain top priorities as the District continues to plan for long-term water reliability.
While current water supply conditions are strong, it is important to remember that 2012-2018 saw the most severe drought in the region’s history. Although the District’s current water supply outlook indicates it is well positioned for the next several years regardless of what the weather brings, conservation remains important to protect local water resources and ensure long-term reliability.
