CACHE CREEK — Yolo County Flood Control and Water Conservation District has reportedly reduced the amount of water it has been releasing from the dam on Cache Creek. District General Manager Tim O”Halloran reported that release rates were dropped from 350 cubic feet per second (cfs) to approximately 275 cfs on Thursday.
Area residents had voiced a concern for a rapid drop in the water levels last week that left many docks and boats stranded on dry land. George Learned, who has owned creek side property for the past 28 years, said that he has a concern for the way the water levels are monitored as well.
In response to an article that appeared in the Sept. 12 edition of the Lake County Record-Bee, O”Halloran has offered response to concerns expressed by residents living along Cache Creek including information regarding monitoring procedures and current efforts to raise the water level.
According to O”Halloran, the district operates on what is called the Solano Decree, a court order that describes how Yolo can take water from Clear Lake. “April first, we receive an entitlement based on the level of the lake,” O”Halloran said. “Then, there is a schedule and we can release a certain amount of the annual entitlement on a monthly basis.”
O”Halloran said the district received its first call regarding low water levels on the creek on Thursday afternoon from resident Mary Mattioda, who had voiced a concern for her dock being affected by the condition. Ironically, he said, he had been in a meeting with Lake County Public Works discussing the creek”s condition when Mattioda had called.
“After checking the water levels on our remote monitoring system, I attempted to contact Ms. Mattioda. Due to her line being busy, I was not able to reach her until approximately 4 p.m.,” O”Halloran said. “In the meantime, I had directed staff to reduce the irrigation releases from Cache Creek dam in order to raise the level of water in the creek.”
O”Halloran said that the gravel bar that has developed near the bridge on Lake Street has presented some problems. “The dam normally controls releases but because of circumstances this year with the gravel bar at the Grigsby Riffle (which is located upstream from the bridge), it essentially became the new dam and the gravel bar started determining the releases,” he said. “We are, and have been, monitoring water levels in Cache Creek below the Grigsby Riffle on a regular basis. We have been using our remote monitoring sensors as well as having district staff physically check the water levels at both the riffle and the dam.”
O”Halloran added, “We are going to meet with Lake County staff about the maintenance and removing the gravel bar.” According to O”Halloran there is a Memorandum of Understanding in place that governs how the Grigsby Riffle is maintained. The document is public record and can be obtained at the Lake County Department of Public Works.
O”Halloran further reported that the irrigation season is expected to end by next Monday and levels should drop to minimum flows.
“The Yolo County Flood Control and Water Conservation District board and I are 100 percent committed to communication and transparency with both Lake and Yolo county governments and residents,” O”Halloran said, encouraging anyone with concerns to contact him or Jennifer Reed, directly at the district office, (530) 662-0265. Further information and real-time water flow readings can be accessed at www.ycfcwcd.org. Cache Creek information is also available on the Lake County Department of Public Works” Web site at www.co.lake.ca.us/Government/DepartmentDirectory/Water_Resources.htm.
Contact Denise Rockenstein at drockenstein@clearlakeobserver.com.
