Cachuma Lake has reached full capacity and is spilling as all vessel launching is temporarily closed due to the recent holiday storm.
As of Sunday, December 28, Cachuma Lake’s reservoir capacity was at 98%, or 751.63 feet. The Jameson Reservoir and Gibraltar Reservoir are also at max capacity.
Officials note that Cachuma Lake is considered full and subject to spilling at an elevation 750 ft. On Friday, December 26, officials began releasing water from the reservoir. The spillway outflow peaked on Friday and has lessened on Sunday. Realtime data can be seen here.
Cachuma Lake Recreation Area is temporarily closed due to storm debris. Photo captured on December 26, 2025 (courtesy)
An atmospheric river brought heavy amounts of rain to the Central Coast from Tuesday to Friday. Cachuma Lake received approximately 11 inches of rain this past week and Santa Barbara received just over 6 inches of rain.
As of Sunday, Cachuma Lake received 11.89 inches of rain for the month so far, totaling 22.11 inches of rain for the year. About half of the rain total for the year came from December alone.
The Cachuma Lake Recreation Area stated on Friday that the lake is currently closed to all vessel launching while ranger staff work to clear debris and ensure safe conditions.
A reopening date has not yet been determined and boat rentals remain closed at this time. However, the lake’s restaurant, Hook’d Bar and Grill, remains open.
Hook’d Bar and Grill posted the below photo and message on social media on Friday following the storm, “A little aftermath 🌧️ a bit messy out here but the lake is full 🙌🏼
Come check it out, we are open!”
Another Storm Scheduled for This Week
The National Weather Service (NWS) reports mostly clear skies are expected through Tuesday with a warming trend. A 3 day Santa Ana wind event will start Sunday and peak on Monday with strong and gusty winds likely. The winds will not be as strong Sunday and Tuesday.
Clouds will increase and a chance of rain will develop Wednesday with the new year likely starting off with quite a bit of rain.
NWS is estimating 0.5 to 1.5 inches for coasts/valleys and 1.5 to 2.5 inches for foothills with somewhat less expected across the interior areas from Wednesday to Thursdays.
A trough swings in from the west on Friday and Saturday that is expected to bring 0.25 to 1 inch with favored mountain areas across San Luis Obispo County up to 1.5 inches. Although, NWS states all totals are subject to change.