“Water, the Hub of Life…
Water is the most extraordinary substance!
Practically all its properties are anomalous,
Which enabled life to use it as building material for its machinery.”
~ Albert Szent-Gyorgyi

Where’s the water? That was our question while driving along the shore of Lake Cachuma on our way to Pismo Beach. North of Santa Barbara are two routes – the San Marcos Pass that climbs high over and through the mountains and the Gaviota Pass, which is 20 minutes longer but has an ocean view. Because a dense marine layer hovered over the coastline we chose the “high road.” Clear blue skies met us as did the stark view of Lake Cachuma (see photo). At 25% of its normal water level, the lake bed is mostly dry. The once water-filled areas are now exposed as cracked clay. In the deepest part of the lake stands the remaining water.

This is Santa Barbara’s water source.

Similar stories are repeated throughout the west. Our water (CVWD) comes from local wells and the Rocky Mountains via the Colorado River. Unlike Santa Barbara, CV’s water sources are hidden from view. CVWD revealed the hidden truth. In normal years, we get 70% of our water from local wells and 30% from the Colorado River. Now, due to the ongoing drought, we are only getting 53% of our water from local wells and 47% from the Colorado River.

June gloom and Hurricanes Andres and Blanca create our complex weather story. Possible rain, with temperatures ranging between 50 and 75 degrees finishes the week. Sunday a warming trend begins. Faint murmurs of rain for mid-week are heard from NWS meteorologists.

WANTED – El Niño.

 
Sue Kilpatrick is a
Crescenta Valley resident and
Official Skywarn Spotter for the
National Weather Service. Reach her at  suelkilpatrick@gmail.com.