Central Coast Region


	The Rivers of the Central Coast originate in the coast range mountains of the Los Padres National Forest. They provide water for central coast towns, such as Santa Barbara, Carmel, and Monterey, and for a rich variety of agricultural crops including grapes, fruits, berries, flowers and vegetables. The primary purpose of the Los Padres National Forest is to manage and protect the rugged, fire-prone headwaters of these coastal rivers. Much of the forest is designated Wilderness. The Central Coast rivers include the:


	Santa Ynez River The Santa Ynez provides Santa Barbara’s water supply; its major reservoir is Lake Cachuma. Santa Maria-Cuyama River System Carmel River The Carmel River’s headwaters are in the steep rugged mountains of the Ventana Wilderness, inland from the Big Sur coast. Salinas River Beginning in the Santa Lucia Ranger District, the Salinas River is captured in Nacimiento and San Antonio Reservoirs. Much of the water used for agriculture in the Salinas Valley comes from ground water replenished by the river.

		*Central Coast streams with Wild and Scenic designation include the Big Sur River, Sespe Creek, and the Sisquoc River.* Big Sur River The Big Sur River arises in the deep valleys of the Ventana wilderness. Sespe Creek Sespe Creek begins in the backcountry of the Ojai Ranger District, and passes through the Sespe Gorge, before traveling through the Sespe Condor Sanctuary, where California condors are being reintroduced to the wild. Sisquoc River The Sisquoc begins in the San Rafael Wilderness, running the length of the wilderness before leaving the forest and joining the Santa Maria River.


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