Santa Ynez River
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| Santa Ynez River | |
|---|---|
| Country | United States |
| State | California |
| County | Santa Barbara |
| Major cities | Solvang, Lompoc |
| Length | 75 mi (121 km) [1] |
| Watershed | 816 sq mi (2,113 km²) [2] |
| Discharge at | near Lompoc [2] |
| - average | 123 cu ft/s (3.5 m³/s) |
| - maximum | 38,000 cu ft/s (1,076 m³/s) |
| - minimum | 0 cu ft/s (0 m³/s) |
| Source | |
| - location | Transverse Ranges |
| - coordinates | [3] |
| - elevation | 4,140 ft (1,262 m) [4] |
| Mouth | Pacific Ocean |
| - coordinates | [3] |
| - elevation | 0 ft (0 m) |
| Major tributaries | |
| - left | Alder Creek, Alisal Creek, Salsipuedes Creek, Miguelito Creek |
| - right | Santa Cruz Creek, Cachuma Creek, Alamo Pintado Creek, Zaca Creek |
The Santa Ynez River is one of the largest rivers on the Central Coast of California. It flows from east to west through the Santa Ynez Valley, reaching the Pacific Ocean at Surf, near Vandenberg Air Force Base and the city of Lompoc.
The 75 mile (121 km) long river drains the north slope of the Santa Ynez Mountains, the south slope of the San Rafael Mountains, as well as much of the southern half of Santa Barbara County. The river's flow is highly variable. It usually dries up almost completely in the summer, but can become a raging torrent in the winter.
Contents |
[edit] River modifications
There are three reservoirs on the river, the largest of which is Lake Cachuma, with a capacity of 205,000 acre-feet (253,000,000 m³). Bradbury Dam, which forms the lake, was built by the U.S. Bureau of Reclamation. Water from Lake Cachuma is diverted into the Tecolote Tunnel, which passes south under the Santa Ynez Mountains. The tunnel supplies water to the city of Santa Barbara (which uses it for drinking water), the Goleta Water District, the Carpinteria Valley Water District, and the Montecito Water District. Water from lake Cachuma is released into the Santa Ynez River below Bradbury Dam in order to satisfy downstream water rights.[2]
The other two reservoirs are Gibraltar Reservoir, impounded by Gibraltar Dam, and Jameson Lake, impounded by Juncal Dam. Gibraltar Reservoir supplies water to the City of Santa Barbara via the Santa Barbara Water Tunnel under the Santa Ynez Mountains. Jameson Lake supplies water to the Montecito Water District via another tunnel under the Santa Ynez Mountains. In 2004 the diversions amounted to 3,130 acre-feet (3,861,000 m³) from Gibraltar Reservoir, and 1,730 acre-feet (2,134,000 m³) from Jameson Lake.[2]
[edit] Course
The Santa Ynez River originates in Los Padres National Forest, on the northern slope of the Santa Ynez Mountains near Divide Peak and the Ventura County border. The river flows west, collecting various headwater tributaries. The Upper Santa Ynez Campground is located near the river's source.
After flowing through Billiard Flats the river enters Jameson Lake, the reservoir impounded by Juncal Dam. Below the dam, Alder Creek joins the Santa Ynez River from the south. At times water from Alder Creek is diverted into Jameson Lake via a tunnel.[2]
Continuing its generally westward course, the Santa Ynez flows by several campgrounds and canyons, including Blue Canyon. Mono Creek joins from the north just as the Santa Ynez flows into Gibraltar Reservoir, impounded by Gibraltar Dam.
Below Gibraltar Dam the river passes several campgrounds as well as facilities such as the Los Prietos Ranger Station. Paradise Road runs along the river. Continuing west, the river passes Fremont Campground near the mouth of Red Rock Canyon.
West of Red Rock Canyon the river leaves Los Padres National Forest and its valley widens considerably. Kelly Creek joins from the south, draining Los Laureles Canyon and Cold Spring Canyon. State Route 154, which crosses the Santa Ynez Mountains via San Marcos Pass, enters the Santa Ynez River valley at this point and follows the river for several miles to the west. Hot Spring Canyon joins from the south just before the Santa Ynez River enters Lake Cachuma.
Lake Cachuma, the largest reservoir on the river, is approximately five miles in length. Several tributaries join the Santa Ynez River in Lake Cachuma, including Santa Cruz Creek and Cachuma Creek from the north and a number of smaller streams from the south. The lake area is designated as the Lake Cachuma Recreation Area. Cachuma County Park, near Tequepis Point, provides lake access. Water from the lake is diverted into Tecolote Tunnel, which passes south under the mountains to the Santa Barbara area.
Below Lake Cachuma, the Santa Ynez River continues its westward course. Its valley continues to widen and contains ranches and other development. The river passes by the town of Santa Ynez and the cities of Solvang and Buellton. In Buellton the river is crossed by U.S. Route 101. Several tributaries join the river in this area, including Quiota Creek, Alisal Creek, and Nojoqui Creek from the south, and Alamo Pintado Creek and Zaca Creek from the north.
West of Buellton the Santa Ynez River flows between the Santa Rita Hills and Purisima Hills to the north and the Santa Rosa Hills to the south. It is joined by Santa Rosa Creek from the north and Salsipuedes Creek from the south. Just west of Salsipuedes Creek the Santa Ynez River flows past the largest city in the valley, Lompoc. A few miles west of Lompoc the river reaches the Pacific Ocean at a location known as Surf, where there is a beach and an Amtrak station.
While there is public access to Surf and the mouth of the Santa Ynez River, most of the land between Lompoc and the ocean is part of Vandenberg Air Force Base.[5]
[edit] History
According to the USGS, variant and historical names of the Santa Ynez River include La Purisima River, Rio De La Purisima, Rio De Calaguasa, Rio Santa Rosa, Rio De Santa Ines, and Rio De Santa Ynes.[3]
[edit] See also
[edit] References
- ^ Santa Ynez River, The Columbia Gazetteer of North America
- ^ a b c d e Water Resources Data—California, Water Year 2004, Volume 1. Station 11133000 Santa Ynez River at Narrows, Near Lompoc, CA
- ^ a b c USGS GNIS: Santa Ynez River, USGS, GNIS
- ^ Google Earth elevation for source coordinates
- ^ Course info from various sources including Topozone.com and (2005) California Road & Recreation Atlas, 4nd, Benchmark Maps. ISBN 0-929591-80-1.; and: (2002) Oregon Road & Recreation Atlas, 2nd, Benchmark Maps. ISBN 0-929591-50-X.
