Dry section of the Salinas River

Salinas River "Live Stream" Has Ended

Author: Public Works
Date: 7/20/2023 2:30 PM

SAN LUIS OBISPO COUNTY – On Tuesday, July 18, 2023, the Public Works Department confirmed a dry section of the Salinas River, immediately upstream of Graves Creek.

The Salinas River flows from the Salinas Reservoir Dam (Santa Margarita Lake). In accordance with the 1973 State Water Resources Control Board (SWRCB) “Live Stream” ruling, Tuesday’s discovery of the dry section of the Salinas River ends the “live stream” discovered on Tuesday, December 13, 2022, and Sunday, January 1, 2023.  All inflow into the lake is now being released at the dam.  

The Salinas Reservoir serves as a primary water supply source for the City of San Luis Obispo. This year’s rain created a natural “live stream” water flow in the Salinas River, allowing water to be stored in the Salinas Reservoir. However, because the “live stream” no longer exists, the County will resume releasing water from the reservoir to the Salinas River, which is common practice under the 1973 SWRCB “Live Stream” ruling.

For questions regarding the Salinas River “live stream,” please contact Public Works Program Manager, Laura Holder at (805) 781-5135.

Please see map for location.

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