Nipomo Ag Water Runoff Creates Creek Concern
Daniel Diaz’s nickname is the Nipomo “Creek Dog”, because of his penchant to let San Luis Obispo County know what’s going on in the various creeks and drainage culverts that run through his home and neighborhood on East Tefft Street.
“The big issue here is siltration traveling from farm land down into our town, causing siltration”, Diaz says about his latest concern, “we had one big giant runoff and it filled this seven-foot-deep bridge within two feet of the top of the bridge.”
Diaz says when the storms come and the runoff flows it fills local drainage culverts and the surge can flood neighborhoods.
He also points to illegal dumping in creek beds that contributes to the flooding problem.
“When we hear about rain most people say alright its going to rain, we’re going to get fresh water and all that, in our minds, it’s more like what’s going to happen next”, Diaz says of recent flooding encounters, “we have been traumatized by this, every year that we get runoff.”
San Luis Obispo County Public Works tells Central Coast News the County has been working to upgrade drainage culverts and flood control systems in the residential areas that lie beneath the eastern foothills above Nipomo. The County says its been working with farmers, landowners and other ag users to ease the flow of runoff particularly during the rainy season.
Daniel Diaz says the drainage improvements have not eased property owner concerns in the area.
“There are people here that can’t even sell because it’s a flood zone”, Diaz says, “its becoming a worst flood zone today because of the silt level buildup caused by the agricultural work above us.”
