Gibraltar reservoir spills after strong Spring rains
SANTA YNEZ VALLEY, Calif. - What is normally the tail end of the rainy season has become a time of some ninth inning surprises in Santa Barbara County.
The last two storms have had just enough energy to drop several inches of rain in the right spot, above the Cachuma Lake and Gibraltar Reservoir watershed.
That runoff has filled Gibraltar and it is spilling from the gates heading to the lower Santa Ynez River.
The Paradise Road crossing is flowing steadily towards Cachuma Lake.
Gibraltar does not have the capacity it once had due to silt from the Zaca and Thomas Fires. It is spilling quicker in recent years than ever before.
That input is on its way to Cachuma which is now at 80 percent and rising.
It is less than 15 feet from the top of Bradbury Dam.
A spill there would be directed downstream in the river towards Solvang, Buellton and Lompoc.
Gibraltar Dam was built in 1920, raised in 1949 and strengthened in 1991. It is a vital source of water for the City of Santa Barbara along with the underground wells, state water, the city's desalination plant and several other sources.
For more information go to: Gibraltar Reservoir
