Thanks to recent rain, Gibraltar Reservoir, a key city water source upstream of Cachuma Reservoir, filled to capacity and began pouring water over the spillway on Jan. 5; the first time in three years.
In addition to playing an important part in the city’s water supply portfolio, Gibraltar Reservoir, when full, enables the city to operate its hydroelectric plant, which produces 100% carbon-free renewable energy.
When the hydroelectric plant is running at full capacity, it can produce enough electricity to offset 100% of the Cater Water Treatment Plant’s total electrical usage with clean, carbon-free electricity.
Water captured in Gibraltar Reservoir (along with flows from Devil’s Canyon Creek) are conveyed through the Santa Ynez Mountains via the 3.7 mile long Mission Tunnel.
Once the water reaches the south portal of Mission Tunnel (near Tunnel Trailhead), it enters into the Gibraltar penstock pipeline, dropping some 600 feet in elevation as it makes its way to the Gibraltar Hydroelectric Plant at Lauro Reservoir (near Jesusita Trailhead).
On Jan. 19, city staff put the Gibraltar Hydroelectric Plant back into service. The journey from Gibraltar to Lauro Reservoir takes the water about four to five hours.
The city’s water supply outlook has improved significantly due to recent rain events. With Gibraltar Reservoir and Lake Cachuma full, the city reports it has sufficient water for at least the next three years, even if another prolonged drought begins.
The key to meeting the water needs of Santa Barbara has been, and continues to be, a diverse water supply portfolio, according to the city.
Santa Barbara has developed one of the most diverse water supply mixes in the state, given its vulnerability to droughts, wildfires, mudslides and earthquakes. Local water supplies include:
Gibraltar, Devils Canyon Creek, Mission Tunnel, Cachuma, seawater desalination, groundwater, State Water Project water, recycled water for landscaping, and water conservation.
Each of the city’s supplies has its role to play, and each year Santa Barbara analyzes and plans for the right mix of water supplies to most cost effectively meet local demands, while also planning for the next drought or disaster.
The city reports it will continue to plan for dry weather in the future; the past several years have instructed that another dry period might be just around the corner.
It is expected that climate change will result in prolonged dry periods and more intense wet periods, necessitating flexible and responsive management of Santa Barbara’s water resources moving forward in an uncertain future.
Learn more about the city’s long-term water supply plan in the Enhanced Urban Water Management Plan.
The city thanks the community for being leaders in wise water use. Santa Barbara residents are currently using the same amount of water used in the 1950s, but with nearly double the population, highlighting the impact of water efficiency and increasingly more efficient building codes.
The community’s water use currently averages 25 percent less than pre-drought water use in 2013.
For more information on storm effects on the city’s water supply, tune into the City Council meeting Tuesday, Feb. 7. For more on Santa Barbara’s water sources, visit www.SantaBarbaraCA.gov/WaterSources.