Lake Casitas filled

 For the first time since 1998 Lake Casitas has filled to 100% of capacity.  Capacity was recently re-evaluated and current estimates are 238,000 acre feet.  The artificial reservoir created by the dam on Coyote Creek originally held 256,000 acre feet, which is estimated to provide a "safe yield" of 20 years for communities in the Ojai Valley, parts of the city of Ventura, and coastal areas along the Rincon parkway.  In many areas the reservoir serves as backup to primarily groundwater supplies.  The back to back wet winters have also saturated the groundwater basins.  

Ojai Valley News, April 23, 2024

Diversions from the Ventura River were stopped on April 23 at the Robles Diversion, which supplies approximately one third of the inputs to the lake.  

Stream gage hydrographs for Matilija Creek and Foster Park,
April 16-23, 2024,  USGS

Flows at Foster Park, downstream of the diversion, jumped by 75 cfs increasing flows in the Ventura River by 50%.

Ventura River above Hwy 150, April 23, 2024

In the news: 

Diversions stop, lake 100% full, Ojai Valley News, Apr 23, 2024

'Our insurance policy:' Water spills from Lake Casitas for first time since 1998, Ventura County Star, April 27, 2024

 

Surfrider's Climate Action Program and Surfers' Point

On Earth Day the Surfrider Foundation announced  the Climate Action Program that aims to track and highlight on the great work of local Surfrider chapters around the country who have been working to restore their local beaches  

The Ventura County Chapter has been a leader in coastal ecosystem management, and the Surfers' Point Managed Shoreline Retreat is a featured project in the new program.  Although it took 15 years for the first phase of the project to be constructed, in 2011 the Chapter "adopted" the dune restoration portion of the project.  Hundreds of volunteer hours were dedicated to planting and maintaining the native dune habitat that is crucial to stabilizing wind-blown sand to naturally maintain the dunes.  We are hopeful that with the increased attention of the Climate Action Program that other chapters can use Surfers' Point as a model for restoring resilient shorelines around the country.     

Surfers' Point Managed Shoreline retreat project Phase 2:

The diagrams below are from the City's upcoming public outreach and illustrate the plans to relocate the damaged bike path and parking lot back to Shoreline Drive.   

Erosion at Surfers' Point continues
 requiring relocation of the bike path into the parking lot
Feb 8, 2024

Get Involved:

With construction still on track for Fall 2024, the City of Ventura is seeking public input on the public art component of the project:  

A community workshop for the Surfers Point Managed Retreat Project will be held on Thursday, May 2, at 5:30 p.m. at Santa Rosa Hall, located at the Ventura County Fairgrounds. Spanish interpretation will be available. 

"We are thrilled to involve our community in this pivotal stage of the Surfers Point Managed Retreat Project," said Mayor Joe Schroeder. "After receiving over $16 million from the State of California’s Coastal Conservancy to fund this project, community input and collaboration are crucial in creating a space that reflects the needs and aspirations of our residents and visitors for this iconic location."

This workshop presents a valuable opportunity for community members to engage in interactive discussions, activities, and collaborative sessions that will shape the amenities and potential public art themes at the Surfers Point site, among other aspects.

More on this blog:  Surfers' Point