I have heard a disturbing rumor from a customer at Pete’s (Wilderness Outfitters in Arroyo Grande) the other day, that if the seismic retrofit is not completed on schedule, the lake must be drained down to 10% of capacity. I know that Nacimento has been drained to that level, but I understand that this was due to the salt-water intrusion into the lake water.

The federal mandate stated that the dam must be improved to withstand a 7.0 magnitude earthquake OR be drained. With the emphasis on the OR. I have spoken to the local California Game and Fish agent here in Carpinteria, and she states that due to the negative impact on the environment, there is no way the lake would be drained.

Does anyone have any definitive information on this? I don’t mean rumors or ‘so-and-so’ says -----. I mean actual documentation on this issue?

Feel free to email me at Phred1244@aol.com

Thanks,
Fred