Oak Tree Restoration Program

In 2004 the Bradbury Dam radial gates that hold back Lake Cachuma water were raised by four feet. This surcharge project provides water to maintain fish habitat downstream, reduces impacts to urban and agricultural water supplies and helps to balance benefits for people and the environment.

However, surcharging periodically raises lake levels and affects oak woodlands that occur along the margins of Lake Cachuma. An Oak Tree Restoration Program to restore trees within the Cachuma Recreation Area was developed to mitigate for projected oak tree losses, which will be incremental and occur over a long period of time. Hundreds of oak trees and other native plants have already been planted. More will be planted in coming years, and the trees will be monitored to ensure that ultimately there are two new trees to replace each tree that is lost due to the higher lake water levels.

CCRB and Santa Ynez River Water Conservation District, ID #1 are carrying out and fully funding the Oak Tree Restoration Program.