Boat owners getting ready as Cachuma Lake quietly rises back up to the launching level

Cachuma Lake is slowly making a comeback from the historic drought impacts. For boat owners, the closed launch ramp is on the verge of reopening for the first time in months.

Santa Barbara County Parks officials say the steady increase in runoff water from recent storms has raised the level about 17 feet since January 1. They would like to see the lake go up another 10 feet before opening the launch ramp again.

That could occur within the next two weeks, especially after a powerful storm hits the area Friday.

Prior to launching a boat into Cachuma Lake, it need to pass an inspection and quarantine to make sure there are no invasive quagga mussels within the vessel.

For more information about the quagga mussel quarantine policy go to:https://www.countyofsb.org/parks/asset.c/502