Monterey County could face lawsuit over Lake Nacimiento water levels

A group of residents in Lake Nacimiento are considering a lawsuit against Monterey County.

They say the county is taking an unfair share of water from the reservoir, and believe it could destroy their local economy.

The Nacimiento Regional Water Management Advisory Committee has set up a go fund me page, raising money for a potential lawsuit against Monterey County.

Nacimiento Dam and Reservoir has been operating since the late 1950s, and part of that reservoir provides water for Monterey County Farms.

The lake is also a big recreation spot for tourists and nearby residents. One organization says Monterey County is taking more than its fair share.

“They are taking massive amounts of water out of the lake,” said NRWMAC board member Bill Capps, “The lake will be pretty much a deadpool.”

The committee says the amount of water Monterey County is taking has brought water levels almost too low for recreation which, they say, could hurt the local economy.

“We feel that they are not giving recreation its due respect for issues on their license,” Capps said.

According to the county, 730 feet of water is the minimum amount required for recreation. Over the weekend, county charts show the lake was only slightly above that.

Because of the potential lawsuit, attorney’s for the county agency issued this statement:

“The Monterey County Water Resources Agency operates both Nacimiento and San Antonio Reservoirs in accordance with a flow prescription developed with the National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS) and consistent with its licenses and permits from the State Water Resources Control Board. NRWMAC has no standing to contest the Agency’s management of Lake Nacimiento under these licenses and permits. That being said, the annual release schedule is developed with the Reservoir Operations Advisory Committee (of which NRWMAC is a member) in order to maximize recharge to the basin and provide for the operation of the Salinas River Diversion Facility. In developing the release schedule consideration is given to minimizing impacts to recreational uses at the reservoirs. A final release schedule is presented to the Agency Board of Directors for approval.”

The committee says it doesn’t want to have to go to court, but it’s defending all those that use the lake.

“Fighting for all the residents that, whether that’s San Luis Obispo or other places, even Salinas to come down here and use the lake,” Capps said. “We’re fighting for everyone to have recreation.”

For more information on the county’s policy for the lake click here.

For more on the committees claims, click here.