Abstract

Critical Drought Contingency Planning for Southern Santa Barbara Count
Track: Water Resources
Authors: Timothy Robinson

A 3 year drought has made for difficult/costly management actions for facility managers and water purveyors. Reservoirs are at an all-time low while the population and subsequent water demand grow. Lake Cachuma on the Santa Ynez River, a County Santa Barbara reservoir at 28.9% of capacity as of 11/2014, provides water to over 200,000 residents. Critical drought planning used GIS technologies to assist in managing water supply while protecting the downstream endangered southern steelhead.