Santa Ynez River

Santa Ynez River

The Santa Ynez River is a river in the U.S. state of California. It is 148 km ( 92 miles ) long, making it one of the longest in California. It flows from west to east through the Santa Ynez Valley and empties into the Pacific Ocean near the city of Lompoc later.

The river forms the end of the north slope of the Santa Ynez Mountains and the southern slope of the San Rafael Mountains. Its catchment area covers an area of ​​2,320 square kilometers. The amount of water that leads to the Santa Ynez River, is subject to strong fluctuations in the context of the seasons: While he frequently even almost dry in summer, it can be in the wetter winter months to a torrent. In its course the river is dammed several times, allowing multiple reservoirs for the purpose of water and electricity have emerged.

Apart from smaller boats, the river is not navigable.

Course

The Santa Ynez River originates in the Los Padres National Forest, on the northern slope of the Santa Ynez Mountains in Ventura County. The river flows to the west, where several smaller creeks and mountain streams flow into it. After flowing through the Billiard Flats, the river enters Jameson Lake, a reservoir. Below the dam, joins the Alder Creek in the Santa Ynez River from the south.

On his way further to the west of the confluence of several campgrounds and canyons, including the Blue Canyon is surrounded. As the river is also popular with tourists and other tourist facilities are located next to the campsite. Later in the Santa Ynez is jammed again with the Gibraltar Reservoir.

The Cachuma Lake, the largest reservoir in the course of the river is about eight kilometers long. Below this Staumdamms more tributaries flow into the stream, including the Santa Cruz Creek and the Cachuma Creek from the north as well as a number of smaller streams from the south. The lake is called Lake Cachuma Recreation Area and is under special nature conservation. The Cachuma County Park, near Tequepis Point, offers direct access to the lake is also used for tourism to the public.

Below the Lake Cachuma is the Santa Ynez River continues its course to the west. A few miles west of Lompoc reached the Santa River Ynes the Pacific Ocean. The estuary also has a strong attraction to tourists and is very popular with surfers.