Monday, April 29, 2024

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