U.S. GEOLOGICAL SURVEY

Water-Resources Investigations Report

Evaluation of Water-Level Recovery, 1996–97 to 

1999–2000, and Comparison of 1999–2000 and 

1972–73 Water Levels in Goleta Central 

Subbasin, Santa Barbara County, California

Prepared in cooperation with the

GOLETA WATER DISTRICT

01-4127

By Jill N. Densmore, Matthew C. Scrudato, and Ernest R. Houston

Sacramento, California

2001

4004-26
U.S. DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR

GALE A. NORTON, Secretary

U.S. GEOLOGICAL SURVEY

Charles G. Groat, Director

For additional information write to: Copies of this report can be purchased from:

U.S. Geological Survey

Information Services

Box 25286

Federal Center

Denver, CO 80225

The use of firm, trade, and brand names in this report is for identification purposes only and 

does not constitute endorsement by the U.S. Geological Survey.

District Chief

U.S. Geological Survey

Placer Hall, Suite 2012

6000 J Street

Sacramento, CA 95819-6129
Contents III

CONTENTS

Abstract.................................................................................................................................................................................. 1

Introduction ........................................................................................................................................................................... 1

Description of Study Area ........................................................................................................................................... 2

Acknowledgments ....................................................................................................................................................... 2

Ground-Water Recharge ........................................................................................................................................................ 2

Water Budget ......................................................................................................................................................................... 4

Water-Level Measurements ................................................................................................................................................... 9

Comparison of 1999–2000 and 1972–73 Water Levels......................................................................................................... 13

Water-Level Recovery, 1996–97 to 1999–2000..................................................................................................................... 13

Summary and Conclusions .................................................................................................................................................... 33

References Cited.................................................................................................................................................................... 33

FIGURES

1. Map showing monthly measured wells, injection wells, and stream-gaging stations in the Goleta Central

ground-water subbasin, Santa Barbara County, California ...................................................................................... 3

2. Graph showing monthly recharge in the Goleta Central ground-water subbasin, Santa Barbara County, during

February 1998–January 1999 ................................................................................................................................... 4

3. Map showing agricultural land use in Goleta Central ground-water subbasin, Santa Barbara County, California, 

in September 1999.................................................................................................................................................... 8

4. Graphs showing water levels for selected wells in the Goleta Central ground-water subbasin, Santa Barbara 

County, California, 1970–2000 ................................................................................................................................ 10

5. Graph showing water-level altitudes for 1972–73 and 1999–2000 at comparison-network wells in the Goleta

Central subbasin, Santa Barbara County, California................................................................................................ 14

6. Map showing change in average water-surface altitude between 1972–73 and 1999–2000 in the Goleta Central

ground-water subbasin, Santa Barbara County, California ...................................................................................... 31

7. Map showing change in average water-surface altitude between 1996–97 and 1999–2000 in the Goleta Central

ground-water subbasin, Santa Barbara County, California ...................................................................................... 32

TABLES

1. The quantity of water injected, in acre-feet, per well during February 1998–January 1999, Goleta Central 

subbasin, Santa Barbara County, California............................................................................................................ 5

2. Preliminary water budget for February 1998–January 1999, Goleta Central subbasin, Santa Barbara County,

California................................................................................................................................................................. 5

3. Streamflow data for selected sites in the Goleta Central ground-water subbasin, Santa Barbara County, 

California, August 1998–July 1999......................................................................................................................... 6

4. Agricultural acreage and water use by crop type in Goleta Central ground-water subbasin, Santa Barbara 

County, California, during 1999.............................................................................................................................. 9

5. Comparison of 1972–73, 1996–97, and 1999–2000 water-level data for selected wells in the Goleta Central 

ground-water subbasin, Santa Barbara County, California ..................................................................................... 16
IV Contents

CONVERSION FACTORS, VERTICAL DATUM, AND WELL-NUMBERING SYSTEM

CONVERSION FACTORS

VERTICAL DATUM

Sea level: In this report, "sea level" refers to the National Geodetic Vertical Datum of 1929—a geodetic datum derived from a general adjustment of the first-order level nets of the United States and

Canada, formerly called Sea Level Datum of 1929.

Well-Numbering System

Wells are identified and numbered according to their location in the rectangular system for the subdivision of public lands. Identification consists of the township number, north or south; the range

number, east or west; and the section numbers. Each section is divided into sixteen 40-acre tracts

lettered consecutively (except I and O), beginning with "A" in the northeast corner of the section and

progressing in a sinusoidal manner to "R" in the southeast corner. Within the 40-acre tract, wells are

sequentially numbered in the order they are inventoried. The final letter refers to the base line and

meridian. In California, there are three base lines and meridians; Humboldt (H), Mount Diablo (M),

and San Bernardino (S). All wells in the study area are referenced to the San Bernardino base line

and meridian (S). Well numbers consist of 15 characters and follow the format

004N028W09G003S. In this report, well numbers are abbreviated and written 4N/28W-9G3. Wells

in the same township and range are further abbreviated and referred to by only their section designation, 9G3. The following diagram shows how the number for well 4N/28W-9G3 is derived.

Multiply By To obtain

acre 4,047 square meter

acre-foot (acre-ft) 1,233 cubic meter

acre-foot per year (acre-ft/yr) 1,233 cubic meter per year

foot (ft) 0.3048 meter

foot per yer (ft/yr) 0.3048 meter per year

inch (in.) 25.4 millimeter

inch per year (in/yr) 25.4 millimeter per year

mile (mi) 1.609 kilometer

4N/28W-9G3

D C B A

E F G H

M L K J

N P Q R

6 5 4 3 2 1

7 8 9 10 11 12

18 17 16 15 14 13

19 20 21 22 23 24

30 29 28 26 25

31 32 33 34 35 36

27

R27W R26W

T6N

T7N

T8N

R28W

RANGE

TOWNSHIP

R30W R29W

T5N

T4N

R28W

Well-numbering diagram (Note: maps in this report use abbreviated well numbers such as "9G3")

SECTION 9

T4N
Introduction 1

Evaluation of Water-Level Recovery, 1996–97 to 1999–2000, 

and Comparison of 1999–2000 and 1972–73 Water Levels in 

Goleta Central Subbasin, Santa Barbara County, California

By Jill N. Densmore, Matthew C. Scrudato, and Ernest R. Houston

ABSTRACT

Ground-water levels were measured during 

January 1999–June 2000 to evaluate the rate of 

water-level recovery in the Goleta Central groundwater subbasin that has resulted from injection of 

about 2,225 acre-feet of surplus water for storage 

in the ground-water basin. Injection of surplus 

water was tabulated and compared with waterlevel rises since 1996 to evaluate the effectiveness 

of the recharge effort. Water levels have risen 

about 4 to 37 feet since 1996–97. A preliminary 

water budget was compiled to assess recharge and 

discharge in the basin, and it is estimated that total 

inflow exceeded total outflow during 1998–99 by 

about 2,844 to 7,518 acre-feet. In addition, water 

levels for 1999–2000 were compared with water 

levels for 1972–73 to determine if a “drought 

buffer” exists. Water levels measured in two wells 

during January 1999–June 2000 exceeded January 

1972–June 1973 levels. Water levels in the remaining wells measured during January 1999–June 

2000 ranged from less than 1 foot to about 32 feet 

below 1972–73 water levels. In general, the largest 

water-level rise between 1996–97 and 1999–2000 

was about 37 feet in the southeastern end of the 

basin; the rise was less than 4 feet in the western 

end of the basin and about 10 feet north of the 

Goleta Fault. Long-term hydrographs indicate that 

water levels have been recovering throughout the 

basin since the early 1990’s. 

INTRODUCTION

Until the early 1990’s, the Goleta Water District 

(GWD) relied primarily on local water supplies to meet 

its water needs. Because surface-water-supply shortages are a recurring problem during droughts, GWD 

began pumping as much as 5,500 acre-ft/yr (acre-feet 

per year) of ground water from the Goleta Central 

ground-water subbasin between 1970 and the early 

1990’s to supplement its needs. This pumping caused 

water-level declines and overdraft conditions in the 

basin. Overdraft as defined by Freeze and Cherry 

(1979) is any withdrawal in excess of safe yield: that is, 

the quantity of water that can be withdrawn from a 

ground-water basin annually without producing an 

undesired result. 

In 1994, a voter-adopted ordinance was passed 

that governs imported-water and ground-water operations until a drought buffer was established throughout 

the basin. The drought buffer was defined in a litigation 

settlement involving Goleta Water District as the 1972 

water level in the Central ground-water subbasin. As a 

result, GWD halted ground-water production from its 

wells in the basin in the early 1990’s to allow waterlevel recovery to 1972 levels and began using imported 

water supplied by the State Water Project. In addition, 

GWD has injected surplus water from the Cachuma 

Project when available. 

The purpose of this study was to compare 

1972–73 and 1999–2000 ground-water levels, and 

evaluate the rate of recovery that has resulted from 

injection of surplus water. This report also provides a 

tabulation of the quantity of water injected and assesses 

the rate of change in water levels measured in 1996–97 

to water levels measured in January 1999–June 2000 at 

the same wells. This report updates the information 
2 Evaluation of Water-Level Recovery and Comparison of Water Levels in Goleta Central Subbasin, Santa Barbara County, California

published in the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) 

Water-Resources Investigations Report 97-4109 

(Kaehler and others, 1997).

Description of Study Area

The Goleta Central subbasin is in the Goleta 

ground-water basin, immediately west of the Santa 

Barbara ground-water basin, in the coastal part of Santa 

Barbara County, California. The Goleta ground-water 

basin is in a narrow lowland between the Santa Ynez 

Mountains on the north and the Pacific Ocean on the 

south, and it is approximately 8 mi long and 3 mi wide. 

The basin is subdivided into the Central, West, North, 

and Foothill (formerly known as East) subbasins 

(fig. 1). The Central subbasin is about 4 mi long and 

2 mi wide. 

The geohydrology of the Goleta ground-water 

basin, as a whole unit, has been described by previous 

investigators (Upson,1951; Evenson and others, 1962; 

Kaehler and others, 1997). The Central subbasin is 

bounded by Tertiary-age consolidated rocks of the 

Santa Ynez Mountains to the north, the Modoc Fault on 

the east, the More Ranch Fault near the coast on the 

south, and a north-south-trending hydrologic barrier, 

inferred from water-level and water-quality differences, on the west. The main water-bearing deposits 

are of Quaternary age and consist of younger alluvium 

of Holocene age, and terrace deposits, older alluvium, 

and the Santa Barbara Formation of Pleistocene age. 

The Santa Barbara Formation, which is the primary 

source of water, is composed of sand, silt, and clay. 

The Central subbasin consists of an unconfined 

shallow aquifer and a confined deep aquifer. The shallow aquifer is fairly continuous throughout most of the 

basin and is composed of the upper part of the younger 

alluvium and the terrace deposits. The shallow aquifer 

receives recharge from stream seepage and infiltration 

of precipitation and irrigation-return flow. The deep 

aquifer underlies the shallow aquifer and is composed 

of the lower part of the younger alluvium, older alluvium, and the Santa Barbara Formation. Throughout 

most of the basin, the deep aquifer is virtually hydraulically separate from the shallow aquifer (Upson, 1951; 

pl. 5) and probably only receives recharge along the 

base of the Santa Ynez Mountains (fig. 1).

The Goleta area is characterized by a 

mediterranean-like climate of warm summers (about 

70°F) and mild winters (about 50–55°F) with little frost 

hazard. Most of the rainfall occurs between November 

and March; occasional thundershowers occur during 

the summer in the adjacent mountains. Annual precipitation is generally more than 20 in/yr in the bordering 

foothills and more than 30 in/yr at the mountain crests. 

Mean annual precipitation in the Goleta area was 9 to 

10 in. for the period December 1998–November 1999 

(Ceres online, 1999).

Acknowledgments

The authors thank David Iverson, Mike Kanno, 

and Mike Stevens of the Goleta Water District for providing access to wells, for permitting use of GWD 

equipment, and for providing information on additional 

pumped wells. The authors also thank local farmers 

who provided information on their pumping practices.

GROUND-WATER RECHARGE

The injection of surplus water from the Bureau 

of Reclamation Cachuma Project first began in March 

1978. It is unknown how much water was injected prior 

to 1983, but about 2,575 acre-ft was injected during 

1983, about 670 acre-ft during 1984, about 448 acre-ft 

during 1986, about 1,770 acre-ft during 1993, and 

about 1,120 acre-ft during 1995. In the most recent 

injection period, the surplus water was injected through 

18 existing production wells that had been modified to 

also act as injection wells (fig. 1). During February 

1998–January 1999, approximately 2,225 acre-ft of 

surplus water was injected into the Goleta Central 

ground-water subbasin (fig. 2). There was also a minor 

injection period of 3 weeks duration in April 2000. 

Monthly recharge ranged from about 320 acre-ft during 

May 1998 to 30 acre-ft during January 1999. The 

amount of water injected in each well between 

February 1998 and January 1999 is given in table 1. 

During this period, about 70 percent of the injection 

was in the eastern half of the basin. The highest percentage of water (about 17 percent) was injected in 

well 4N/28W-10G7: this relatively high volume of 

injected water (383 acre-ft) may reflect more frequent 

occurrences of injection than in other wells and may 

indicate that the formations penetrated have a higher 

storativity than those penetrated by other wells. 
Ground-Water Recharge 3

19

20 21 22 23

24 19

30

24

13

18

17 16 15 14 13 18

12

7 8 9

10 11 12

7

1

6

5 4 3 2 1 6

36 31 32 33 34

35 36 31

25 30 29 28 27

26

25

13

24

19 20 21 22 23 24 13

San

Carneros

Tecolotito

Creek

San

Las Vegas

Cr

Cr

Pedro

Creek

Jose

Antonio San 

Ygnacio

Atascadero

Creek

Maria

Creek

Creek

East

Fork

Creek

Goleta Foothill Blvd

Turnpike Rd

Puente Drive

Rd

Patterson

Ave

Kellogg Ave

Fairview

Ave

Hollister Ave

154

101

Clarence Ward Memorial Blvd

Cathedral

Oaks

MORE RANCH FAULT

GLEN ANNIE FAULT

CARNEROS

FAULT

FAULT

FAULT

JOSE

PEDRO

SAN

SAN

GOLETA FAULT

D

U

D

U

D

U

U

D

U

D

D

U

D

U

D

U

D

U

D

U

U

D

D

U

MESA FAULT

MODOC FAULT

NORTH SUBBASIN

CENTRAL

SUBBASIN

WEST

SUBBASIN

FOOTHILL

SUBBASIN

11120000

11119900

11119940

11120500

11120510

11120520

2N2

8K8 8F2

8G1

8P5

16H3

9C8

10G7

15D3

8N8

8R3

9A3

9G3

10J1

10Q2 12N1

12P3

15H5

15E2

16C1

16J2

9K2

12P4

5R1 3R7

9H3

15H4

14C2

16M3

11P6

11K5

Study Area

Los Angeles

CALIFORNIA

Santa Ynez Mountains

Consolidated

rocks

Well and abbreviated number – (See well diagram

for complete description of well-numbering system)

Active

Injection well 

Well measured monthly

Discontinued

EXPLANATION

Goleta

Hope Ranch

Isla Vista

34° 119°45'

30'

34°

25'

119°50'

2 MILES

0 2 KILOMETERS

0

Goleta

Ground-Water

Basin

R29W

T

5

N

T

4

N

R28W R28W R27W

Unconsolidated

deposits

Stream-gaging station and number

16J2

11120510

11120520

16M1

Pacific Ocean

Fault – Dashed where approximately

located, dotted where concealed. U,

upthrown side; D, downthrown side

Fault that is a hydrologic barrier –

Dotted where concealed

Hydrologic barrier

Evenson and others (1962)

Faults modified from Dibblee (1987), and

Freckleton (1989)

Figure 1. Location of study area showing monthly measured wells, injection wells, and stream-gaging stations in the Goleta Central groundwater subbasin, Santa Barbara County, California.
4 Evaluation of Water-Level Recovery and Comparison of Water Levels in Goleta Central Subbasin, Santa Barbara County, California

3R7

3R7

3R7

3R7

3R7

3R7

3R7

3R7

3R7

3R7

3R7

3R7

3R7

8F2

8F2

8F2

8F2

15E2

15E2

15E2

15E2

15E2

15E2

15E2

15E2

15E2

15E2

15H5

15H5

15H5

15H5

15H5

15H5

15H5

15H5

15H5

15H5

15H4

15H4

15H4

10J1

10J1

10J1

10J1

10J1

10J1

10J1 10J1

11K5

11K5

11K5

11K5

11K5

11K5

11K5 11K5

11K5

11K5 11K5 11P6

11P6 11P6 11P6 11P6 11P6

11P6

11P6 11P6

12N1

12N1

12N1

12N1

12N1

12N1

12N1

12N1

12N1

12P4

12P4

12P4

14C2

14C2

14C2

14C2

14C2

14C2

14C2

14C2 16M

16M

16M

16M 15D3

15D3

15D3

9C8

9C8

9C8

9C8

9C8 9C8

9C8

8G1

8G1

8G1

8G1

8G1 8G1

16H3

16H3

16H3

16H3

16H3

16H3

8G1

8G1

8G1

8G1

9C8

8P5

8P5

8P5

8P5

8P5

8P5

8P5

8P5

8P5

8P5

16H3

10G7

10G7

10G7

10G7

10G7

10G7

10G7

10G7

10G7

10G7

10G7

10G7

10G7

15H4

15H4

15H4

15H4

12P4

15E2

10J1

11K5

11P6

350

0

50

100

150

200

250

300

La Cumbre Mutual

Water Company 

wells 11,10,2A

Coralino

SB Rancho MH Park

Shirrel

Airport

SB Bus/Corp

Hollipatt

University

Baratto

Carlo

San Richardo

Anita West

Anita East

El Camino

San Antonio

San Marcos

Total recharge for February 1998-January 1999: approximately 2,225 acre-feet

RECHARGE, IN ACRE-FEET

1998 1999

FEB MAR APR MAY JUN JUL AUG SEP OCT NOV DEC JAN

Well name and abbreviated number - 

(See well diagram on page IV for 

complete description of wellnumbering system.) Bar indicates 

amount of recharge.

WATER BUDGET

A preliminary water budget of the entire Goleta 

Central subbasin was estimated by assessing the natural recharge from precipitation and runoff in creeks, 

artificial recharge from injection of surplus water, and 

pumpage from local wells (table 2). A 1996 aerial photograph was used to approximate the area of residential 

housing to estimate irrigation-return flow from lawn 

watering and to determine the current agricultural land 

use, which was also field checked, to estimate pumpage 

for agricultural fields and the resulting irrigation-return 

flow. Although most of the irrigation-return flow primarily recharges only the shallow aquifer, this assessment attempts to provide a preliminary budget for the 

entire system.

The rate of natural recharge from precipitation 

probably is greatest in the undeveloped areas. Most of 

the undeveloped area in the Goleta Central groundwater subbasin is in the northern part of the subbasin 

and overlies the unconfined recharge area defined by 

Upson (1951, pl. 5). In developed urban areas, most 

precipitation is captured by storm sewers, city streets, 

and buildings, thus preventing significant infiltration of 

rain. The precipitation that does infiltrate in unpaved 

urban areas recharges the shallow aquifer and the 

amount probably is minimal. Precipitation recharge 

was estimated by multiplying Upson’s recharge area 

(roughly estimated at 1,220 acres) by 0.138 ft/yr as proposed by Muir (1968) for land covered with grass and 

weeds above an altitude of 100 ft in the Santa Barbara 

area. The resulting estimate for precipitation recharge 

Figure 2. Monthly recharge in the Goleta Central ground-water subbasin, Santa Barbara County, California, February 1998–January 1999.
Water Budget 5

in the undeveloped areas is about 170 acre-ft/yr during 

February 1998–January 1999 (table 2). This estimate 

probably represents the low end of precipitation 

recharge, which likely is significantly higher during 

years of above-average precipitation. Previous studies 

have estimated between 2,500 and 4,000 acre-ft for 

average annual precipitation recharge (Evenson and 

others, 1962; Todd Engineers, 1984; Kevin Walsh, 

Goleta Water District, oral commun., 2000). 

Recharge also occurs along Atascadero, Maria 

Ygnacio, San Antonio, and San Jose Creeks, which 

flow through the Goleta Central ground-water subbasin. Flow in these streams is highly variable from year 

to year. For example, streamflow measured in 

Atascadero Creek (station 1112000) was 29,490 acre-ft 

during the 1998 calendar year, a relatively wet year 

(Agajanian and others, 1998), yet was only 

1,240 acre-ft during 1999 (Ernest Houston, U.S. 

Table 1. The quantity of water injected, in acre-feet, per well during February 1998–January 1999, 

Goleta Central subbasin, Santa Barbara County, California

[LCMWC, La Cumbre Mutual Water Company]

State well number Local name Quantity 

injected

Percentage of 

total

4N/28W-3R7 Baratto 283 12.7

4N/28W-8F2 Carlo 49 2.2

4N/28W-8G1 Shirrel 73 3.3

4N/28W-8P5 Airport 97 4.4

4N/28W-9C8 Coralino 52 2.3

4N/28W-10G7 University 383 17.2

4N/28W-10J1 El Camino 121 5.4

4N/28W-11K5 San Antonio 271 12.2

4N/28W-11P6 San Marcos 182 8.2

4N/28W-12N1 LCMWC 11A 62 2.8

4N/28W-12P4 LCMWC 10 170 7.6

4N/28W-14C2 LCMWC 2A 95 4.3

4N/28W-15D3 Hollipatt 7 0.3

4N/28W-15E2 San Richardo 189 8.5

4N/28W-15H4 Anita East 20 0.9

4N/28W-15H5 Anita West 135 6.1

4N/28W-16H3 Santa Barbara Bus./Corp. 32 1.4

4N/28W-16M3 Rancho Goleta Mobile Home Park 5 0.2

Total.......................................................................................... 2,226 100.0

Table 2. Preliminary water budget for February 1998–January 1999, Goleta Central subbasin, Santa Barbara County, California

[Values are in acre-feet]

Estimated value Remarks

Inflow

Natural recharge from precipitation ...................... 1170–24,000

1

Based on about 1,220 acres (Upson, 1951) in recharge area.

2

Estimated by Todd Engineers, 1984.

Streamflow recharge .............................................. 625–890 Estimated by Todd Engineers, 1985, p. 17.

Artificial recharge (injection) ................................ 2,225

Irrigation-return flow ............................................. 1,150 Assumes 70 percent irrigation efficiency.

Underflow from Santa Ynez Mountains ................ 0–1,419

 Total inflow......................................................... 4,170–9,684

Outflow

Agricultural pumpage............................................ 350–1,160 Low value estimated in Wright suit.3

Nonagricultural pumpage ...................................... 130–160 

Storage, drains, underflow..................................... 846 High value estimated by Todd Engineers, 1986. 

 Total outflow....................................................... 1,326–2,166

Net change in storage ............................................ 2,844–7,518

3

Santa Barbara Superior Court Case No. SM57969.
6 Evaluation of Water-Level Recovery and Comparison of Water Levels in Goleta Central Subbasin, Santa Barbara County, California

Geological Survey, unpublished data,1999). August 

1998–July 1999 streamflow data from the four active 

USGS streamflow-gaging stations are presented in 

table 3. Because two stations are on the upper and 

lower reaches of San Jose Creek (11120500 and 

11120510, respectively), only data for these stations 

were used to compute an estimate of surface-water 

recharge to the ground-water system during February 

1998–January 1999. The streamflow loss (the difference in flow) between the upper and lower reaches was 

about 380 acre-ft during this period. This streamflow 

loss is higher than the 120 acre-ft recharge estimated by 

Todd Engineers (1985) and probably represents the 

upper range of streamflow recharge from San Jose 

Creek. Multiplying the streamflow loss (380 acre-ft) by 

the percentage of the creek that lies within the deep 

aquifer recharge area (30 percent) yields an estimate of 

114 acre-ft, similar to Todd Engineers estimate, for the 

maximum recharge to the deep aquifer from San Jose 

Creek. The remaining 70 percent of this stream loss 

recharges the shallow aquifer during periods of high 

flow. Little of this recharge probably reaches the deep 

aquifer; most drains back to the streams when high 

flow has receded, moves laterally to a slough in the 

southeast edge of the subbasin near the airport, or evaporates. A combined estimate of average recharge for the 

entire lengths of Atascadero, Maria Ygnacio, and San 

Antonio Creeks of 509 acre-ft/yr, made by Todd 

Engineers (1985, p. 17), is assumed to approximate 

current recharge from these creeks. However, this may 

Number of days of 

flow

Flow, in 

acre-feet

Number of days of 

flow

Flow, in 

acre-feet

Maria Ygnacio Creek Atascadero Creek near Goleta

1998 August 31 163 31 113

September 30 81 30 56

October 27 34 31 16

November 25 9.3 30 58

December 31 14 31 75

1999 January 31 35 31 140

February 28 54 28 124

March 31 86 31 360

April 30 31 30 323

May 25 18 31 83

June 1 0.1 30 38

July 1 0.1 31 15

 Total .............................. 291 525.5 365 1,401

San Jose Creek near Goleta (upper reach) San Jose Creek at Goleta (lower reach)

1998 August 31 89 31 47

September 30 56 27 5.2

October 31 23 26 3.8

November 30 23 30 23

December 31 53 31 24

1999 January 31 54 31 45

February 28 281 28 96

March 31 290 28 156

April 30 35 30 138

May 31 29 31 75

June 30 21 5 1.5

July 31 14 3 0.06

 Total .............................. 365 968 301 614.56

Streamflow loss between upper and lower reaches of San Jose Creek.................................................. 353.44

Percent of creek that lies within deep aquifer recharge area as defined by Upson (1951) .................... 30

Maximum recharge to deep aquifer (Streamflow loss × percent of creek within recharge area) .......... 106.032

Table 3. Streamflow data for selected sites in the Goleta Central ground-water subbasin, Santa Barbara County, California, 

August 1998–July 1999
Water Budget 7

represent a high estimate because the recharge covers 

the entire length of the creeks and includes recharge to 

both the shallow and deep aquifers. Thus, total 

recharge from the creeks probably ranges between 

about 625 acre-ft/yr (which is the sum of the deep aquifer recharge estimate of 114 acre-ft and Todd 

Engineers’ estimate of 509 acre-ft) and 890 acre-ft/yr 

(which is the sum of streamflow loss on San Jose Creek 

of 380 acre ft and Todd Engineers estimate of 

509 acre-ft).

Artificial recharge into the subbasin, as discussed earlier, is surplus water injected into wells perforated primarily in the deep aquifer. About 

2,225 acre-ft of surplus water was injected between 

February 1998 and January 1999. Because the water 

was delivered to the wells by pipeline, it is assumed 

that all of this water entered the aquifer system and 

none was lost by evaporation.

Irrigation-return flow is another source of 

recharge, primarily to the shallow aquifer. This is water 

not consumptively used by the plants during irrigation 

of lawns in the residential areas, of agricultural fields, 

and of large grass fields. During 1999, the areas of residential housing (lawns), and areas of agricultural 

fields and large grass fields (that have existing usable 

wells) was estimated from a 1996 aerial photograph. 

These two groups were delineated separately because 

the water used in residential housing is provided by 

Goleta Water District, whereas water for field irrigation 

is assumed pumpage (estimated as discussed below) 

from the existing wells. The area of residential housing 

was estimated to be about 700 acres (from a 1996 aerial 

photograph); because houses, garages, and pavement 

cover much of a residential lot, the actual area of lawn 

irrigation may be only half of this area that was identified on the aerial photograph. Agricultural and large 

grass fields total about 300 acres. The consumptive use 

by lawns was estimated to be at most 1,890 acre-ft/yr; 

this estimate was derived by multiplying the area of 

lawns in residential housing (about 700 acres) by 

2.7 acre-ft/acre/season (the consumptive use of grass; 

University of California Cooperative Extension, 1991). 

Assuming a 70 percent lawn-irrigation efficiency, 

about 2,700 acre-ft of water was applied (that is, 

1,890 acre-ft ÷ 70 percent), and about 810 acre-ft (that 

is, 2,700 –1,890 acre-ft) recharged the shallow aquifer. 

The amount of water applied to agricultural and large 

grass fields was estimated to be 1,160 acre-ft (that is, 

810 acre-ft ÷ 70 percent). For agricultural and grass 

fields, assuming a 70 percent irrigation efficiency, 

30 percent of applied water was lost to the shallow 

water table, or about 350 acre-ft (that is, 

1,160 acre-ft × 30 percent). In summary, for 1999, it is 

estimated that irrigation-return flow of about 

1,160 acre-ft (about 810 acre-ft from lawn irrigation 

and 350 acre-ft from agricultural and grass-field irrigation) recharged the shallow aquifer. As noted earlier, 

irrigation-return flow from water applied in areas outside the recharge area defined by Upson (1951, pl. 5) 

undoubtedly recharges the shallow aquifer but probably does not reach the deep aquifer.

The quantity of subsurface underflow entering 

the Goleta Central ground-water subbasin from the 

Santa Ynez Mountains and across the Goleta, Modoc, 

and eastern More Ranch Faults is not well documented. 

During calibration of a ground-water-flow model for 

the basin, Todd Engineers (1986) estimated that underflow was as much as 1,419 acre-ft/yr, consisting of 

about 627 acre-ft/yr across the Goleta Fault, 

217 acre-ft/yr across the Modoc Fault, and 

576 acre-ft/yr across the eastern More Ranch Fault. 

However, Freckleton and others (1998) modeled both 

the Santa Ynez Mountains and Goleta Fault as no-flow 

boundaries in the adjacent Santa Barbara and Foothill 

ground-water basins. And on the basis of the large 

water-level rise where the two faults intersect, the 

Modoc and eastern More Ranch Faults seem to act as 

effective barriers to ground-water flow. Underflow to 

the basin probably is somewhere between 0 and 

1,419 acre-ft/yr. This value may be better constrained 

by updating the ground-water-flow model using new 

hydrologic data—such as data from aquifer tests for 

wells on either side of the faults or from water-quality 

differences between imported water and native ground 

water—to quantify flow across the faults. 

Although GWD ceased pumping ground water 

from the basin in the early 1990’s, other local agricultural users continue to pump ground water for their 

water-supply needs. To estimate current pumpage, the 

acreage and type of agriculture were assessed by determining the amount of agricultural acreage from a 1996 

aerial photograph of the Goleta Central ground-water 

subbasin (obtained from Pacific Western Aerial 

Surveys in 1999) and by field-checking agricultural 

land use during 1999 (shown in figure 3); average water 

use for the crops was then applied as described by 

University of California Cooperative Extension (1991).

From the 1996 aerial photograph, it was possible 

to discern between three tree types and smaller crops. 

After the agricultural areas identified from the 1996 
8 Evaluation of Water-Level Recovery and Comparison of Water Levels in Goleta Central Subbasin, Santa Barbara County, California

photograph were field checked, the trees were divided 

into avocado, citrus, and Christmas trees. The small 

crops were divided into large areas of lawn, nurseries, 

and row crops such as vegetables and flowers. The total 

agricultural area within Goleta Central ground-water 

subbasin during 1999 was about 300 acres. The average 

water use for these crop types in Santa Barbara County 

was provided by University of California Cooperative 

Extension (1991) and was used to estimate the amount 

of water needed by the plants (table 4). Thus, on the 

basis of the acreage and crop types identified in 1999, 

about 810 acre-ft of irrigation water would be needed 

19

20 21 22 23

24 19

30

18 17

16

15 14 13 18

7 8 9

10 11 12

7

6 5 4 3 2 1 6

T4N

R28W

Goleta Foothill Blvd

Turnpike Rd

Puente Dr

Rd

Fairview

Kellogg Ave

Ave

Hollister

Ave

154

Oaks Cathedral

101 San

Carneros

Creek

Jose

Antonio

San 

Ygnacio

Atascadero

Creek

Maria

Creek

Creek

Creek

San

Las Vegas Cr

Cr

Pedro

GOLETA FAULT

D

U

MESA FAULT

MODOC FAULT

MORE

RANCH

FAULT

CARNEROS

FAULT

GLEN

ANNIE

FAULT

SAN JOSE

FAULT

D

U

D

U

D

U

Row crop

R R

R

R

R

R

R

R

R

R

R

R

R

Nursery

N

Gr Grass

Gr

Gr

Gr

Gr

Ci Citrus

Ci

Ci

Christmas tree

C

Avocado

A

A

A

A

Consolidated rocks

Unconsolidated rocks Land use

Gr

R

N

A

Ci

C

Fault – Dashed where approximately

 located, dotted where concealed. U,

 upthrown side; D, downthrown side

Fault that is a hydrologic barrier –

 Dotted where concealed

Hydrologic barrier

EXPLANATION

2 MILES

0 2 KILOMETERS

0

Santa Ynez Mountains

Hope Ranch

Pacific Ocean

119°47'30" 119°45'

34°

25'

34°

27'

30"

119°50'

R27W

Goleta

NORTH SUBBASIN

CENTRAL

SUBBASIN

FOOTHILL

WEST SUBBASIN

SUBBASIN

Approximate recharge

area as defined by

Upson, 1951

Evenson and others (1962),

Faults modified from Dibblee (1987), and

Freckleton (1989)

Figure 3. Agricultural land use in Goleta Central ground-water subbasin, Santa Barbara County, California, in September 1999.
Water-Level Measurements 9

to maintain these crops. If an irrigation efficiency of 

70 percent is assumed (as described above), about 

1,160 acre-ft (810 acre-ft ÷ 70 percent) was pumped 

and applied. This estimate assumes that pumped 

ground water is used on fields that have an existing 

usable well, but some of the fields may actually be 

using water served by the Goleta Water District; therefore, this estimate represents an upper pumpage range. 

The pumpage estimated for the Wright suit (Santa 

Barbara Superior Court Case No. SM57969) was only 

about 350 acre-ft.

As determined by field checks, non-agricultural 

pumping (not used to irrigate fields) occurs from at 

least 17 existing wells. Most of these wells were 

pumped for domestic use; of the others, three were for 

La Cumbre Mutual Water Company (LCMWC) production, one provides water for a manmade lake, and at 

least two were for industrial use. Domestic wells for 

which pumpage data could not be obtained were 

assigned (on the basis of average household use) 

pumpage of 200 gallons per day (Driscoll, 1986). Nonagricultural pumpage was estimated to range from 

about 130 to 160 acre-ft/yr. 

The quantity of underflow discharging from the 

Goleta Central ground-water subbasin across the 

hydrologic barrier to the west is unknown. In a groundwater-flow model by Todd Engineers (1986), the West 

subbasin and Central ground-water subbasin were 

modeled as one basin. Although ground-water flow 

across this boundary was not specifically determined in 

the model, the underflow into the West subbasin from 

the Santa Ynez Mountains was estimated to be about 

846 acre-ft/yr (Todd Engineers, 1986) and may approximate the upper limit of underflow at this barrier. It is 

also not known how much water discharges to the 

slough in the southern edge of the basin near the airport.

In this preliminary budget, inflow during 

1998–99 was estimated to range from about 4,170 to 

9,684 acre-ft and outflow was estimated to range from 

about 1,326 to 2,166 acre-ft. It should be noted that 

these numbers are only an estimated range of inflow 

and outflow. On the basis of these preliminary numbers, 

inflow appears to have exceeded outflow during 

1998–99.

The accuracy of this preliminary budget could be 

improved by additional streamflow monitoring and 

comparison with climatological records. More detailed 

streamflow-discharge records would help better constrain yearly surface-water recharge to the groundwater system. Climatological records could be used to 

aid in estimating the variability in streamflow and precipitation recharge, and aquifer-test data could better 

define the hydraulic properties of the aquifer system 

that influence the effectiveness of injection and pumping in the basin.With additional hydrologic data such as 

these, the ground-water-flow model could be refined to 

better constrain these values.

WATER-LEVEL MEASUREMENTS

During January 1999–June 2000, water levels 

were measured in 15 wells in the Goleta Central 

ground-water subbasin (fig. 1). These wells formed the 

network used in the study by Kaehler and others (1997) 

in which a comparison of 1972 and 1996 water levels 

showed that, in all wells except 4N/28W-2N2, 1996 

levels were lower than 1972 levels. Long-term hydrographs for the 15 wells measured during 1970–2000 are 

shown in figure 4. Water levels throughout the basin 

have been rising since the cessation of pumping by 

GWD in the early 1990’s.

Since 1996–97, water levels have risen in all 15 

wells. The water-level rise generally ranged from about 

3 ft in well 4N/28W-8N8 to about 37 ft in well 

4N/28W-12P3. Well 4N/28W-8N8 is located near the 

western boundary of the subbasin and about 0.4 mi 

Table 4. Agricultural acreage and water use by crop type in 

Goleta Central ground-water subbasin, Santa Barbara County, 

California, during 1999

[Average water-use data from University of California Cooperative 

Extension, 1991] 

Crop type Acres

Water use, in 

acre-ft/acre/

season

Water needed, in 

acre-ft/season

Avocado 24.0 1.6 38.4

Christmas tree 16.9 1.5 25.4

Citrus 58.1 1.5 87.2

Grass 23.6 2.7 63.7

Nursery 11.1 3.0 33.3

Row crop 170.2 3.3 561.7

Total.............. 303.9 809.7
10 Evaluation of Water-Level Recovery and Comparison of Water Levels in Goleta Central Subbasin, Santa Barbara County, California WATER-LEVEL ALTITUDE, IN FEET

50

Sea

level

Sea

level

100

50

50

Well 4N/28W-5R1

Well 4N/28W-8K8

B

50

Sea

level

50

Well 4N/28W-8N8

D

100

50

YEAR

Sea

level

Well 4N/28W-8R3

E

50

100

Sea

level

Well 4N/28W-9A3

F

150

50

Sea

level

100

Well 4N/28W-2N2

A

C1970

197119721973197419751976197719781979198019811982198319841985198619871988198919901991199219931994199519961997199819992000

Projected water-level rise on the basis

of -36.10 foot water-surface elevation

measurement on 3-15-01

Figure 4. Water levels for selected wells in the Goleta Central ground-water subbasin, Santa Barbara County, California, 1970–2000.
Water-Level Measurements 11

WATER-LEVEL ALTITUDE, IN FEET

50

50

Sea

level

Sea

level

Sea

level

50

Well 4N/28W-9H3

Well 4N/28W-10Q2

H

Sea

level

50

100

150

200

Well 4N/28W-12P3

K

50

50

Sea

level

100

Well 4N/28W-9G3

G

50

50

100

100

Well 4N/28W-9K2

I

J

YEAR

1970197119721973197419751976197719781979198019811982198319841985198619871988198919901991199219931994199519961997199819992000

Figure 4.—Continued.
12 Evaluation of Water-Level Recovery and Comparison of Water Levels in Goleta Central Subbasin, Santa Barbara County, California WATER-LEVEL ALTITUDE, IN FEET

100

YEAR

50

Sea

level

Sea

level

50

Well 4N/28W-16J2

Well 4N/28W-16C1

O

N

Sea

level

50

100

150

200

Well 4N/28W-15E2

L

Sea

level

50

100

150

200

Well 4N/28W-15H4

M1970

1971197219731974197519761977197819791980198119821983198419851986198719881989199019911992199319941995199619971998

19992000

Figure 4.—Continued.
Water-Level Recovery, 1996–97 to 1999–2000 13

from the nearest injection well, 4N/28W-8P5 (fig. 1). 

Injection well 4N/28W-8P5 received only about 

97 acre-ft of the 2,225 acre-ft (4.4 percent) of injected 

water. The small water-level rise in 4N/28W-8N8 

reflects this small quantity of recharge nearby and also 

the fact that only about 30 percent of the injection 

occurs in the western half of the subbasin. Well 

4N/28W-12P3, the well with the largest water-level 

rise, is located in the southeastern corner of the 

subbasin bounded by the Modoc and More Ranch 

Faults and is about 0.1 mi from injection well 

4N/28W-12N1 and 0.26 mi from injection well 

4N/28W-12P4 (fig. 1). These wells accounted for about 

62 and 170 acre-ft of the 2,225 acre-ft injected (2.8 and 

7.6 percent), respectively. The highest measured water 

level in well 4N/28W-12P3 occurred in September 

1998, the month in which the largest quantity of water 

was injected near this well. The large water-level rise in 

well 4N/28W-12P3 probably was due to its proximity 

to two injection wells and the fact that about 75 percent 

of injection was in the eastern part of the basin. This 

large water-level rise suggests that in this area the 

Modoc and More Ranch Faults are effective barriers to 

ground-water flow across these faults. 

COMPARISON OF 1999–2000 AND 1972–73 

WATER LEVELS

A comparison of 1999–2000 and 1972–73 water 

levels in 15 wells is shown in figure 5. The 1972–73 

water-level measurements for well 4N/28W-8N3, 

which was destroyed (Kaehler and others, 1997), were 

compared with 1999–2000 water-levels measurements 

for well 4N/28W-8N8. 

Water levels in two wells (4N/28W-2N2 and 

-12P3) measured during January 1999–June 2000 were 

higher than the January 1972–June 1973 levels 

(figs. 5A, K). As noted by Kaehler and others (1997), 

1996 water levels in well 4N/28W-2N2 had already 

exceeded 1972 levels. In the remaining 13 wells, the 

1999–2000 change in water level ranged from less than 

1 ft to as much as 32 ft below 1972–73 measurements. 

Water levels measured during 1999 and 2000 were only 

about 1 ft below January–August levels measured in 

1972 and 1973 in wells 4N/28W-8N3, 8N8, -9A3, 

-9H3, and -9K2 but were about 32 ft below 1972–73 

water levels in well 4N/28W-8R3 (table 5). It should be 

noted that some of the 1972–73 water-level measurements were made during pumping (wells 4N/28W8K8, -15E2, and -15H4), which would result in lower 

water levels than those of static conditions and therefore bias the interpretation on the high side; that is, the 

1999–2000 water levels might appear closer to 

1972–73 levels than actually existed under static 

conditions.

The average change in water levels in the 15 

measured wells in the Goleta Central ground-water 

subbasin between 1972–73 and 1999–2000 (table 5) is 

shown in figure 6. Positive numbers indicate areas in 

which the 1999–2000 levels were above 1972 water 

levels; negative numbers indicate areas below 1972 

levels. On the basis of measurements in the 15 wells for 

this study, water levels in the eastern part of the basin 

in 1999–2000 reached or exceeded 1972 levels. Water 

levels in most of the western two-thirds of the basin 

were below 1972 levels. Areas in which the 1999–2000 

water levels were less than 10 ft below 1972 levels 

include a zone east of Kellog Avenue, the area north of 

the Goleta Fault, and a small area along the western 

border (fig. 6). A small area in the vicinity of well 

4N/28W-9G3 along San Jose Creek and most of the 

remaining area of the western half of the basin have 

water levels between 10 and 20 ft below 1972 levels. 

Water levels greater than 20 feet below 1972 levels are 

present in a small area along Hollister Avenue that is 

bounded by Fairview Avenue and Clarence Ward 

Memorial Boulevard and extends about one-quarter 

mile north of Highway 101.

WATER-LEVEL RECOVERY, 1996–97 TO 1999–2000

An average water-level change was estimated by 

subtracting the average 1999–2000 water-level altitude 

from the average 1996–97 water-level altitude. The 

average change ranged from about 3.54 ft in well 
14 Evaluation of Water-Level Recovery and Comparison of Water Levels in Goleta Central Subbasin, Santa Barbara County, California

160

155

150

145

140

130

125

120

135

10

10

20

30

40

50

60

Sea

level

30

40

50

60

55

45

35

10

20

30

20

30

40

10

Sea

Level

Sea

Level

MONTH

JAN

FEB

MAR

APR

MAY

JUNE

JULY

AUG

SEP

OCT

NOV

DEC

JAN

FEB

MAR

APR

MAY

JUNE

JULY

AUG

SEP

OCT

NOV

DEC

JAN

FEB

MAR

APR

MAY

JUNE

JULY

AUG

SEP

OCT

NOV

DEC

JAN

FEB

MAR

APR

MAY

JUNE

JULY

AUG

SEP

OCT

NOV

DEC

MONTH

4

2

8

6

12

10

14

30

50

45

40

35

20

10

15

5

5

10

15

20

Sea

level

10

5

15

Sea 

Level

-15

-20

-25

-10

-5

WATER-LEVEL ALTITUDE, IN FEET

20

Sea

level

20

10

10

30

40

-30

-40

-50

-60

1999

1972

2000

1973

1999

1972

2000

1973

Well 4N/28W-2N2

1972-73

1999-2000

Well 4N/28W-8R3

1972-73

1999-2000

1972-73

1999-2000

1972-73

1999-2000

Well 4N/28W-9K2

1972-73

1999-2000

Well 4N/28W-10Q2

1972-73

1999-2000

1972-73

1999-2000

Well 4N/28W-8K8

Well 4N/28W-5R1 Well 4N/28W-9G3

Well 4N/28W-8N3

1972-73

Well 4N/28W-8N8

1999-2000

A

E

B

C

D

G

I

J

F

Well 4N/28W-9A3

1972-73

1999-2000

H

Well 4N/28W-9H3

1972-73

1999-2000

Measurements discontinued

due to obstruction

Projected water-level rise on the

basis of -36.10 ft water-surface

elevation measurement on 3-15-01

Figure 5. Water-level altitudes for 1972–73 and 1999–2000 at comparison-network wells in the Goleta Central subbasin, Santa Barbara 

County, California.
Water-Level Recovery, 1996–97 to 1999–2000 15

4N/28W-8N8 to 36.82 ft in well 4N/28W-12P3 

(table 5). Well 4N/28W-8N8 is located about 0.4 mi 

from the nearest injection well, 4N/28W-8P5, which 

received about 97 acre-ft of the 2,225 acre-ft 

(4.4 percent) of surplus water. The lesser water-level 

change in well 4N/28W-8N8 suggests that recharge has 

not yet reached this well. As stated above, well 

4N/28W-12P3 is near the Modoc and More Ranch 

Faults, and close to two injection wells (4N/28W-12N1 

and -12P4) that received about 2.8 and 7.6 percent, 

respectively, of the surplus water (fig. 1). 

The average water-level change for the 15 

measured wells in the Goleta Central ground-water 

subbasin between 1996–97 and 1999–2000 is shown in 

figure 7. In general, the water-level change was largest 

(a rise of almost 37 ft) in the southeastern end of the 

basin near well 4N/28W-12P3, probably because about 

70 percent of the injection occurs in the eastern part of 

the basin. The smallest rise (less than 4 ft) was in the 

western end of the basin where about 30 percent of the 

injection occurs. 

WATER-LEVEL ALTITUDE, IN FEET

-60

Sea

level

10

20

30

60

70

80

90

100

110

40

50

L

30

50

70

110

130

150

90

M

20

30

10

40

N

O

Sea

level

Sea

level

-20

-40

-60

-70

-80

-90

-100

-110

-120

K

1999

1972

2000

1973

1999

1972

2000

1973

JAN

FEB

MAR

APR

MAY

JUNE

JULY

AUG

SEP

OCT

NOV

DEC

JAN

FEB

MAR

APR

MAY

JUNE

JULY

AUG

SEP

OCT

NOV

DEC

MONTH

JAN

FEB

MAR

APR

MAY

JUNE

JULY

AUG

SEP

OCT

NOV

DEC

JAN

FEB

MAR

APR

MAY

JUNE

JULY

AUG

SEP

OCT

NOV

DEC

MONTH

Well 4N/28W-15E2

1972-73

1999-2000

Well 4N/28W-15H4

1972-73

1999-2000

Well 4N/28W-16C1

1972-73

1999-2000

Well 4N/28W-16J2

1972-73

1999-2000

Well 4N/28W-12P3

1972-73

1999-2000

Figure 5.—Continued.
16 Evaluation of Water-Level Recovery, and Comparison of Water Levels, in Goleta Central Subbasin, Santa Barbara County, California Table 5. Comparison of 1972–73, 1996–97, and 1999–2000 water-level data for selected wells in the Goleta Central ground-water subbasin, Santa Bar

[—, no data; Asterisk (*) indicates 1972−73 measurement made during pumping] State well number Altitude, in feet above sea level 1972–73 water-level measurements 1996–97 water-level measurements 1999–2000 water-level measur

Date

Watersurface 

altitude, in 

feet above sea 

level

Depth to 

water, in feet 

below land 

surface

Date

Watersurface 

altitude, in 

feet above sea 

level

Depth to 

water, in feet 

below land 

surface

Date

Watersurface 

altitude in feet 

above sea 

level

D

wa

be

4N/28W−2N2 177.90 1/3/72 131.90 46.00 1/19/99 147.47 

2/1/72 132.99 44.91 2/22/99 147.83 3/1/72 135.51 42.39 3/26/99 148.14 4/6/72 136.04 41.86 4/23/99 148.45 5/1/72 135.42 42.48 5/23/96 141.75 36.15 5/19/99 148.58 6/1/72 134.34 43.56 6/13/96 142.14 35.76 6/15/99 148.57 7/3/72 132.98 44.92 7/9/96 142.04 35.86 7/27/99 147.67 8/1/72 131.63 46.27 8/20/96 140.62 37.28 8/18/99 146.89 

8/31/72 130.14 47.76 9/10/96 139.78 38.12 10/2/72 128.47 49.43 10/1/96 138.81 39.09 11/2/72 126.87 51.03 11/4/96 137.22 40.68 12/4/72 125.45 52.45 12/2/96 136.11 41.79 12/21/99 141.50 

1/4/73 124.95 52.95

2/5/73 126.52 51.383/5/73 131.08 46.824/5/73 135.49 42.415/2/73 138.27 39.636/5/73 140.84 37.06 6/23/97 141.76 36.14 6/27/00 145.90 7/3/73 142.42 35.488/2/73 143.40 34.509/4/73 143.50 34.40

10/4/73 141.72 36.1811/1/73 140.33 37.57

12/11/73 138.39 39.51 12/8/97 134.20 43.70 12/11/00 143.02 

Average change ..................................................................................................................................................................................................................
Water-Level Recovery, 1996–97 to 1999–2000 17

4N/28W−5R1 62.00 1/19/72 44.50 17.50 1/19/99 35.46 

2/2/72 44.60 17.40 2/22/99 35.62 3/2/72 44.78 17.22 3/26/99 35.93 4/7/72 44.94 17.06 4/23/99 35.98 5/1/72 44.73 17.27 5/19/99 35.92 6/2/72 44.46 17.54 6/15/99 36.06 7/5/72 44.08 17.92 7/27/99 35.42 8/2/72 44.45 17.55 8/21/96 25.58 36.42 8/18/99 35.73 9/1/72 44.31 17.69 9/10/96 25.52 36.48 

10/4/72 44.01 17.99 10/1/96 25.53 36.47 11/3/72 43.76 18.24 11/4/96 25.39 36.61 12/5/72 44.30 17.70 12/2/96 25.38 36.62 12/21/99 34.62 

1/4/73 44.72 17.28 2/5/73 45.22 16.78 3/6/73 46.60 15.40 4/6/73 47.99 14.01 5/3/73 48.58 13.42 6/6/73 48.12 13.88 6/23/97 27.52 34.48 6/27/00 37.24 7/5/73 47.98 14.02 8/3/73 47.08 14.92 9/4/73 46.92 15.08 

10/5/73 46.51 15.49 11/2/73 45.15 16.85 

12/12/73 46.49 15.51 12/12/00 36.73 

Average change ................................................................................................................................................................................................................

State well 

number

Altitude, in feet 

above 

sea level

1972–73 water-level measurements 1996–97 water-level measurements 1999–2000 water-level measu

Date

Watersurface 

altitude, in 

feet above sea 

level

Depth to 

water, in feet 

below land 

surface

Date

Watersurface 

altitude, in 

feet above sea 

level

Depth to 

water, in feet 

below land 

surface

Date

Watersurface 

altitude in feet 

above sea 

level

wa

be

Table 5. Comparison of 1972–73, 1996–97, and 1999–2000 water-level data for selected wells in the Goleta Central ground-water subbasin, Santa Ba
18 Evaluation of Water-Level Recovery, and Comparison of Water Levels, in Goleta Central Subbasin, Santa Barbara County, California 4N/28W−8K8 27.00 1/4/72 6.95 20.05 1/19/99 −15.73 

2/2/72 7.95 19.05 2/22/99 −14.83 3/2/72 9.95 17.05 3/26/99 −13.72 4/7/72 −19.55 * 46.55 4/23/99 −13.14 

5/1/72 5.95 21.05 5/7/96 −38.02 65.02 5/19/99 −12.74 

6/2/72 6.84 20.16 6/13/96 −39.49 66.49 6/15/99 −14.85 7/5/72 −20.05 * 47.05 7/9/96 −39.50 66.50 7/27/99 −12.68 

8/2/72 −19.05 * 46.05 8/20/96 −39.32 66.32 8/18/99 −12.59 9/1/72 −21.05 * 48.05 9/10/96 −38.91 65.91 

10/4/72 −24.05 * 51.05 10/1/96 −36.53 63.53 11/3/72 −24.05 * 51.05 11/4/96 −36.09 63.09 12/5/72 −21.05 * 48.05 12/2/96 −35.34 62.34 

1/4/73 −26.05 * 53.05

2/5/73 −22.05 * 49.053/6/73 −21.05 * 48.05

4/6/73 11.95 15.05

5/3/73 −22.05 * 49.056/6/73 −31.05 * 58.05 6/23/97 −33.10 60.10 6/27/00 −8.50 

7/5/73 −20.05 * 47.05

8/3/73 −21.05 * 48.05

11/5/73 −21.05 * 48.0511/2/73 −21.05 * 48.05

12/12/73 −21.05 * 48.05 12/8/97 −30.44 57.44 12/12/00 −4.29 

Average change ................................................................................................................................................................................................................

State well 

number

Altitude, in feet 

above 

sea level

1972–73 water-level measurements 1996–97 water-level measurements 1999–2000 water-level measur

Date

Watersurface 

altitude, in 

feet above sea 

level

Depth to 

water, in feet 

below land 

surface

Date

Watersurface 

altitude, in 

feet above sea 

level

Depth to 

water, in feet 

below land 

surface

Date

Watersurface 

altitude in feet 

above sea 

level

D

wa

be

Table 5. Comparison of 1972–73, 1996–97, and 1999–2000 water-level data for selected wells in the Goleta Central ground-water subbasin, Santa Ba
Water-Level Recovery, 1996–97 to 1999–2000 19

[Note: Comparison uses 1996−97 and 1999−2000 water levels for well 4N/28W−8N8 (altitude is 29.0 feet above sea level)]

4N/28W−8N3 23.00 1/4/72 10.87 12.13 1/19/99 8.33 

2/2/72 11.37 11.63 2/22/99 8.78 3/2/72 11.76 11.24 3/26/99 8.66 4/7/72 9.65 13.35 4/23/99 8.96 5/2/72 10.19 12.81 5/19/99 8.77 6/2/72 9.73 13.27 6/25/96 5.00 24.00 6/15/99 8.67 7/5/72 9.46 13.54 7/10/96 4.80 24.20 7/27/99 7.41 8/2/72 8.31 14.69 8/20/96 5.31 23.69 8/19/99 8.40 9/1/72 7.83 15.17 9/10/96 4.83 24.17 

10/4/72 7.74 15.26 10/1/96 4.63 24.37 11/3/72 7.21 15.79 11/4/96 4.23 24.77 12/5/72 8.73 14.27 12/2/96 4.63 24.37 12/21/99 8.44 

1/4/73 9.24 13.76 2/6/73 10.08 12.92 3/6/73 11.21 11.79 4/6/73 11.88 11.12 5/3/73 12.01 10.99 6/6/73 11.06 11.94 6/23/97 6.18 22.82 6/28/00 10.71 7/5/73 10.31 12.69 8/3/73 9.44 13.56 9/5/73 9.05 13.95 

10/5/73 9.16 13.84 11/2/73 8.30 14.70 

12/12/73 9.17 13.83 12/11/00 10.35 

Average change................................................................................................................................................................................................................

State well 

number

Altitude, in feet 

above 

sea level

1972–73 water-level measurements 1996–97 water-level measurements 1999–2000 water-level measu

Date

Watersurface 

altitude, in 

feet above sea 

level

Depth to 

water, in feet 

below land 

surface

Date

Watersurface 

altitude, in 

feet above sea 

level

Depth to 

water, in feet 

below land 

surface

Date

Watersurface 

altitude in feet 

above sea 

level

wa

be

Table 5. Comparison of 1972–73, 1996–97, and 1999–2000 water-level data for selected wells in the Goleta Central ground-water subbasin, Santa Bar
20 Evaluation of Water-Level Recovery, and Comparison of Water Levels, in Goleta Central Subbasin, Santa Barbara County, California 4N/28W−8R3 22.00 1/4/72 −7.73 29.73

2/2/72 −7.39 29.39

3/2/72 −7.43 29.43

4/7/72 −7.97 29.97

5/2/72 −8.35 30.35 5/22/96 −54.50 76.50 

6/2/72 −8.98 30.98 6/12/96 −54.62 76.62 7/5/72 −9.49 31.49

8/2/72 −9.63 31.63 8/20/96 −54.58 76.58 8/14/98 obstructed 

9/1/72 −10.23 32.23 9/10/96 −54.64 76.64 9/29/98 −47.18 

10/4/72 −10.74 32.74 10/1/96 −54.53 76.53 10/15/98 −46.38 

11/3/72 −11.03 33.03 11/4/96 −54.40 76.40 11/13/98 −45.75 

12/5/72 −10.77 32.77 12/2/96 −54.20 76.20 

1/4/73 −11.57 33.57 [Note: Measurements discontinued after 1998

because of obstruction]

2/6/73 −11.46 33.463/6/73 −11.21 33.214/6/73 −10.67 32.675/3/73 −10.48 32.486/6/73 −10.41 32.417/5/73 −10.97 32.978/3/73 −11.72 33.729/5/73 −12.51 34.51

10/5/73 −12.29 34.2911/2/73 −12.80 34.80 [Note: Reported measurement from March 20

12/12/73 −16.61 38.61 3/18/01 −36.10 

Average change ................................................................................................................................................................................................................

State well 

number

Altitude, in feet 

above 

sea level

1972–73 water-level measurements 1996–97 water-level measurements 1999–2000 water-level measur

Date

Watersurface 

altitude, in 

feet above sea 

level

Depth to 

water, in feet 

below land 

surface

Date

Watersurface 

altitude, in 

feet above sea 

level

Depth to 

water, in feet 

below land 

surface

Date

Watersurface 

altitude in feet 

above sea 

level

D

wa

be

Table 5. Comparison of 1972–73, 1996–97, and 1999–2000 water-level data for selected wells in the Goleta Central ground-water subbasin, Santa Bar
Water-Level Recovery, 1996–97 to 1999–2000 21

4N/28W−9A3 85.09 1/3/72 42.55 42.54 1/19/99 40.59 

2/2/72 43.41 41.68 2/22/99 40.76 3/1/72 44.11 40.98 3/26/99 40.94 4/6/72 44.66 40.43 4/11/96 31.17 53.92 4/23/99 41.11 5/1/72 44.54 40.55 5/8/96 31.32 53.77 5/19/99 41.25 6/1/72 43.79 41.30 6/13/96 31.61 53.48 6/15/99 41.43 7/3/72 43.22 41.87 7/9/96 31.76 53.33 7/27/99 41.60 

8/31/72 41.62 43.47 8/20/96 31.92 53.17 8/18/99 41.60 

9/10/96 31.99 53.10 

10/4/72 40.76 44.33 10/1/96 31.99 53.10 11/2/72 40.35 44.74 11/4/96 32.04 53.05 

12/2/96 32.06 53.03 12/21/99 41.66 

2/6/73 42.56 42.53 3/6/73 43.29 41.80 5/2/73 43.62 41.47 6/5/73 43.76 41.33 6/23/97 33.34 51.75 6/27/00 43.06 7/3/73 43.86 41.23 8/2/73 43.78 41.31 9/4/73 43.76 41.33 

10/4/73 43.50 41.59 11/1/73 43.09 42.00 

12/11/73 42.53 42.56 12/8/97 33.03 52.06 12/12/00 43.73 

Average change ................................................................................................................................................................................................................

State well 

number

Altitude, in feet 

above 

sea level

1972–73 water-level measurements 1996–97 water-level measurements 1999–2000 water-level measu

Date

Watersurface 

altitude, in 

feet above sea 

level

Depth to 

water, in feet 

below land 

surface

Date

Watersurface 

altitude, in 

feet above sea 

level

Depth to 

water, in feet 

below land 

surface

Date

Watersurface 

altitude in feet 

above sea 

level

wa

be

Table 5. Comparison of 1972–73, 1996–97, and 1999–2000 water-level data for selected wells in the Goleta Central ground-water subbasin, Santa Ba
22 Evaluation of Water-Level Recovery, and Comparison of Water Levels, in Goleta Central Subbasin, Santa Barbara County, California 4N/28W−9G3 60.00 1/4/72 9.92 50.08 1/19/99 −11.10 

2/2/72 10.15 49.85 2/22/99 −10.35 3/1/72 10.65 49.35 3/26/99 −9.29 4/6/72 10.16 49.84 4/10/96 −36.19 96.19 4/23/99 −8.74 5/1/72 10.09 49.91 5/7/96 −35.74 95.74 5/19/99 −8.37 6/2/72 9.94 50.06 6/13/96 −34.87 94.87 6/15/99 −7.79 7/5/72 9.42 50.58 7/9/96 −34.45 94.45 7/27/99 −7.29 8/2/72 8.71 51.29 8/20/96 −34.30 94.30 8/25/99 −7.02 9/1/72 8.03 51.97 9/10/96 −34.10 94.10 

10/4/72 7.73 52.27 10/1/96 −33.52 93.52 11/2/72 6.96 53.04 11/4/96 −33.26 93.26 12/5/72 7.32 52.68 12/2/96 −33.12 93.12 12/22/99 −6.19 

1/4/73 7.32 52.682/5/73 7.03 52.973/6/73 7.83 52.174/6/73 8.56 51.445/2/73 7.98 52.026/5/73 9.00 51.00 6/23/97 −29.64 89.64 6/27/00 −12.41 7/3/73 8.88 51.128/3/73 7.97 52.039/4/73 8.33 51.67

10/4/73 8.18 51.8211/1/73 7.44 52.56

12/12/73 6.71 53.29 12/8/97 −27.98 87.98 12/12/00 −0.36 

Average change ...............................................................................................................................................................................................................

State well 

number

Altitude, in feet 

above 

sea level

1972–73 water-level measurements 1996–97 water-level measurements 1999–2000 water-level measur

Date

Watersurface 

altitude, in 

feet above sea 

level

Depth to 

water, in feet 

below land 

surface

Date

Watersurface 

altitude, in 

feet above sea 

level

Depth to 

water, in feet 

below land 

surface

Date

Watersurface 

altitude in feet 

above sea 

level

D

wa

be

Table 5. Comparison of 1972–73, 1996–97, and 1999–2000 water-level data for selected wells in the Goleta Central ground-water subbasin, Santa Bar
Water-Level Recovery, 1996–97 to 1999–2000 23

4N/28W−9H3 75.00 1/4/72 −5.00 80.00 1/19/99 −12.24 

2/2/72 −4.00 79.00 2/22/99 −11.70 3/2/72 −4.00 79.00 3/26/99 −10.76 4/6/72 −7.00 82.00 4/23/99 −10.27 5/1/72 −8.00 83.00 5/24/96 −38.60 113.60 5/19/99 −10.13 6/2/72 −9.00 84.00 6/14/96 −38.45 113.45 

7/9/96 −38.08 113.08 7/1/99 −9.48 

8/1/72 −22.00 * 97.00 8/20/96 −37.72 112.72 8/19/99 −9.14 9/1/72 −17.00 92.00 9/10/96 −37.51 112.51 

10/4/72 −15.00 90.00 10/1/96 −37.09 112.09 11/2/72 −16.00 91.00 11/4/96 −36.75 111.75 12/5/72 −14.00 89.00 12/2/96 −36.36 111.36 12/22/99 −8.36 

1/5/73 −13.75 88.75 

2/6/73 −13.75 88.75 

3/6/73 −12.75 87.75 

4/6/73 −8.75 83.75 

5/3/73 −13.75 88.75 

6/5/73 −13.75 88.75 6/24/97 −33.14 108.14 6/27/00 −5.02 7/5/73 −5.75 80.75 

8/3/73 13.25 61.75 9/4/73 −4.75 79.75 

10/5/73 −5.75 80.75 

11/2/73 −5.75 80.75 

12/12/73 −14.75 89.75 12/8/97 −31.28 106.28 12/12/00 −3.31 

Average change ................................................................................................................................................................................................................

State well 

number

Altitude, in feet 

above 

sea level

1972–73 water-level measurements 1996–97 water-level measurements 1999–2000 water-level measu

Date

Watersurface 

altitude, in 

feet above sea 

level

Depth to 

water, in feet 

below land 

surface

Date

Watersurface 

altitude, in 

feet above sea 

level

Depth to 

water, in feet 

below land 

surface

Date

Watersurface 

altitude in feet 

above sea 

level

wa

be

Table 5. Comparison of 1972–73, 1996–97, and 1999–2000 water-level data for selected wells in the Goleta Central ground-water subbasin, Santa Ba
24 Evaluation of Water-Level Recovery, and Comparison of Water Levels, in Goleta Central Subbasin, Santa Barbara County, California 4N/28W−9K2 58.00 1/4/72 3.00 55.00 1/19/99 −8.99 

2/2/72 5.00 53.00 2/22/99 −8.22 3/9/72 3.00 55.00 3/26/99 −7.01 4/6/72 1.00 57.00 4/10/96 −34.30 92.33 4/23/99 −6.57 5/1/72 3.00 55.00 5/8/96 −35.10 93.07 5/19/99 −6.16 6/2/72 3.00 55.00 6/13/96 −33.00 90.97 6/15/99 −5.75 7/5/72 5.00 53.00 7/9/96 −32.60 90.60 7/27/99 −5.47 8/2/72 1.00 57.00 8/20/96 −33.50 91.51 8/18/99 −5.33 9/1/72 −17.00 75.00 9/10/96 −33.40 91.43 

10/4/72 −15.00 73.00 10/1/96 −31.50 89.54 11/2/72 −29.00 87.00 11/4/96 −31.40 89.36 12/5/72 −31.00 89.00 12/2/96 −32.30 90.31 12/22/99 −4.00 

1/5/73 −31.50 89.50

2/6/73 −32.50 90.50

3/6/73 −29.50 87.50

4/6/73 1.50 56.505/3/73 −14.50 72.50

6/6/73 −27.50 85.50 6/23/97 −27.60 85.59 6/27/00 −0.87 7/5/73 −12.50 70.50

8/3/73 −12.50 70.50

9/4/73 −12.50 70.50

10/5/73 −12.50 70.50

11/2/73 −12.50 70.50

12/12/73 −5.50 63.50 12/8/97 −17.30 75.35 12/12/00 1.30 

Average change.................................................................................................................................................................................................................

State well 

number

Altitude, in feet 

above 

sea level

1972–73 water-level measurements 1996–97 water-level measurements 1999–2000 water-level measur

Date

Watersurface 

altitude, in 

feet above sea 

level

Depth to 

water, in feet 

below land 

surface

Date

Watersurface 

altitude, in 

feet above sea 

level

Depth to 

water, in feet 

below land 

surface

Date

Watersurface 

altitude in feet 

above sea 

level

D

wa

be

Table 5. Comparison of 1972–73, 1996–97, and 1999–2000 water-level data for selected wells in the Goleta Central ground-water subbasin, Santa Bar
Water-Level Recovery, 1996–97 to 1999–2000 25

4N/28W−10Q2 67.00 1/4/72 −34.19 101.19 1/20/99 −46.58 1

2/2/72 −38.97 105.97 2/22/99 −46.72 13/2/72 −41.60 108.60 3/26/99 −46.52 1

4/23/99 −46.71 1

5/2/72 −45.68 112.68 5/8/96 −59.42 126.42 5/19/99 −47.14 1

6/2/72 −47.29 114.29 6/12/96 −59.31 126.31 6/15/99 −46.98 1

7/10/96 −59.49 126.49 

8/2/72 −49.46 116.46 8/20/96 −59.27 126.27 8/25/99 −47.55 1

9/1/72 −50.00 117.00 9/10/96 −59.21 126.21 

10/1/96 −59.25 126.25 

11/3/72 −49.11 116.11 11/4/96 −59.15 126.15 12/5/72 −48.96 115.96 12/2/96 −58.97 125.97 12/20/99 −47.19 1

1/4/73 −48.88 115.88 

2/6/73 −48.17 115.17 6/23/97 −58.03 125.03 

3/6/73 −45.87 112.87 

4/5/73 −42.44 109.44 

5/3/73 −42.71 109.71 

6/6/73 −40.06 107.06 6/23/97 −58.03 125.03 6/27/00 −45.43 18/3/73 −42.87 109.87 

9/5/73 −44.84 111.84 

11/2/73 −45.91 112.91 

12/12/73 −48.97 115.97 12/8/97 −57.94 124.94 12/12/00 −44.66 1

Average change................................................................................................................................................................................................................

State well 

number

Altitude, in feet 

above 

sea level

1972–73 water-level measurements 1996–97 water-level measurements 1999–2000 water-level measu

Date

Watersurface 

altitude, in 

feet above sea 

level

Depth to 

water, in feet 

below land 

surface

Date

Watersurface 

altitude, in 

feet above sea 

level

Depth to 

water, in feet 

below land 

surface

Date

Watersurface 

altitude in feet 

above sea 

level

wa

be

Table 5. Comparison of 1972–73, 1996–97, and 1999–2000 water-level data for selected wells in the Goleta Central ground-water subbasin, Santa Ba
26 Evaluation of Water-Level Recovery, and Comparison of Water Levels, in Goleta Central Subbasin, Santa Barbara County, California 4N/28W−12P3 80.00 1/4/72 −87.25 167.25 1/19/99 −72.38 1

2/7/72 −91.42 171.42 2/22/99 −72.24 1

3/2/72 −85.50 165.50 3/26/99 −71.57 1

4/7/72 −79.50 159.50 4/9/96 −111.21 191.21 4/23/99 −71.39 1

5/3/72 −87.83 167.83 5/8/96 −111.18 191.18 5/19/99 −71.84 16/5/72 −87.60 167.60 6/13/96 −110.60 190.60 6/15/99 −71.59 17/3/72 −90.83 170.83 7/23/96 −110.32 190.32 7/27/99 −77.03 18/2/72 −83.50 163.50 8/20/96 −109.99 189.99 8/18/99 −73.68 19/5/72 −89.50 169.50 9/10/96 −109.66 189.66 

10/1/72 −87.50 167.50 10/1/96 −109.45 189.45 11/3/72 −92.50 172.50 11/4/96 −109.02 189.02 12/5/72 −83.80 163.80 12/2/96 −107.40 187.40 12/20/99 −71.49 1

1/5/73 −85.30 165.30

2/6/73 −82.00 162.00

3/7/73 −80.00 160.00

4/3/73 −92.00 172.00

5/3/73 −94.00 174.00

6/5/73 −92.00 172.00 6/24/97 −103.68 183.68 6/27/00 −67.80 1

7/5/73 −96.00 176.00

8/6/73 −106.00 186.00

9/5/73 −102.00 182.00

105/73 −102.00 182.00

11/2/73 −104.00 184.00

12/3/73 −100.00 180.00 12/10/97 −101.96 181.96 12/11/00 −67.00 1

Average change.................................................................................................................................................................................................................

State well 

number

Altitude, in feet 

above 

sea level

1972–73 water-level measurements 1996–97 water-level measurements 1999–2000 water-level measur

Date

Watersurface 

altitude, in 

feet above sea 

level

Depth to 

water, in feet 

below land 

surface

Date

Watersurface 

altitude, in 

feet above sea 

level

Depth to 

water, in feet 

below land 

surface

Date

Watersurface 

altitude in feet 

above sea 

level

D

wa

be

Table 5. Comparison of 1972–73, 1996–97, and 1999–2000 water-level data for selected wells in the Goleta Central ground-water subbasin, Santa Bar
Water-Level Recovery, 1996–97 to 1999–2000 27

4N/28W−15E2 36.4 1/20/99 −32.84 

2/22/99 −33.77 3/26/99 −33.86 

4/11/96 −52.72 89.12 4/23/99 −33.86 

5/8/96 −52.02 88.42 5/19/99 −40.12 

6/14/96 −51.02 87.42 6/15/99 −40.48 7/10/96 −50.55 86.95 7/27/99 −40.38 8/20/96 −54.82 91.22 8/18/99 −41.59 9/10/96 −54.05 90.45 10/1/96 −53.97 90.37 11/4/96 −53.74 90.14 

12/17/72 −34.60 * 71.00 12/2/96 −53.38 89.78 12/20/99 −32.99 

3/6/73 −18.74 55.14 

4/5/73 −16.88 53.28 

5/3/73 −17.26 53.66 

6/1/73 −18.05 54.45 6/24/97 −47.37 83.77 6/28/00 −31.49 7/5/73 −21.18 57.58 

8/3/73 −22.76 59.16 

9/5/73 −21.38 57.78 

11/2/73 −101.00 * 137.40 

12/12/73 −66.00 * 102.40 12/9/97 −44.98 81.38 12/11/00 −24.94 

Average change ................................................................................................................................................................................................................

State well 

number

Altitude, in feet 

above 

sea level

1972–73 water-level measurements 1996–97 water-level measurements 1999–2000 water-level measu

Date

Watersurface 

altitude, in 

feet above sea 

level

Depth to 

water, in feet 

below land 

surface

Date

Watersurface 

altitude, in 

feet above sea 

level

Depth to 

water, in feet 

below land 

surface

Date

Watersurface 

altitude in feet 

above sea 

level

wa

be

Table 5. Comparison of 1972–73, 1996–97, and 1999–2000 water-level data for selected wells in the Goleta Central ground-water subbasin, Santa Ba
28 Evaluation of Water-Level Recovery, and Comparison of Water Levels, in Goleta Central Subbasin, Santa Barbara County, California 4N/28W−15H4 40.00 1/19/99 −48.82 

2/2/72 −138.43 * 178.43 2/22/99 −49.58 

3/2/72 −142.43 * 182.43 3/26/99 −49.92 4/7/72 −140.43 * 180.43 4/10/96 −63.30 103.30 4/23/99 −49.68 5/2/72 −142.43 * 182.43 5/19/99 −50.00 6/2/72 −137.43 * 177.43 6/25/96 −61.15 101.15 6/15/99 −50.12 7/3/72 −140.43 * 180.43 7/27/99 −50.34 8/2/72 −139.43 * 179.43 8/18/99 −50.72 9/1/72 −137.43 * 177.43

10/4/72 −136.43 * 176.43

11/3/72 −132.43 * 172.43

12/5/72 −132.43 * 172.43 12/19/96 −61.51 101.51 12/20/99 −49.96 

1/5/73 −132.43 * 172.43

2/5/73 −133.43 * 173.43

3/6/73 −38.43 78.43

4/13/73 −32.43 72.43

5/3/73 −38.43 78.43

6/6/73 −128.43 * 168.43 6/24/97 −60.92 100.92 6/27/00 −48.29 7/5/73 −137.43 * 177.43

8/3/73 −141.43 * 181.43

9/5/73 −140.43 * 180.43

10/5/73 −141.43 * 181.43

11/2/73 −143.43 * 183.43

12/12/73 −144.43 * 184.43 12/9/97 −60.60 100.60 12/11/00 −47.32 

Average change.................................................................................................................................................................................................................

State well 

number

Altitude, in feet 

above 

sea level

1972–73 water-level measurements 1996–97 water-level measurements 1999–2000 water-level measur

Date

Watersurface 

altitude, in 

feet above sea 

level

Depth to 

water, in feet 

below land 

surface

Date

Watersurface 

altitude, in 

feet above sea 

level

Depth to 

water, in feet 

below land 

surface

Date

Watersurface 

altitude in feet 

above sea 

level

D

wa

be

Table 5. Comparison of 1972–73, 1996–97, and 1999–2000 water-level data for selected wells in the Goleta Central ground-water subbasin, Santa Bar
Water-Level Recovery, 1996–97 to 1999–2000 29

4N/28W−16C1 30.00 1/4/72 −5.58 35.58 1/19/99 −30.68 

2/2/72 −5.33 35.33 2/22/99 −30.05 3/2/72 −5.69 35.69 3/26/99 −29.46 4/7/72 −7.20 37.20 4/23/99 −29.12 5/2/72 −7.77 37.77 5/9/96 −35.79 65.79 

6/2/72 −8.83 38.83 6/14/96 −36.08 66.08 6/30/99 −30.24 

7/5/72 −9.65 39.65 7/10/96 −36.38 66.38 

8/2/72 −10.44 40.44 8/20/96 −36.41 66.41 8/19/99 −30.74 

9/1/72 −10.90 40.90 9/10/96 −36.47 66.47 

10/4/72 −11.04 41.04 10/1/96 −36.41 66.41 11/3/72 −11.13 41.13 11/4/96 −36.05 66.05 12/5/72 −10.03 40.03 12/2/96 −35.52 65.52 12/20/99 −30.11 

1/5/73 −10.28 40.28 

2/6/73 −9.48 39.48 

3/6/73 −8.54 38.54 

4/6/73 −7.66 37.66 

5/3/73 −8.02 38.02 

6/6/73 −9.05 39.05 6/28/00 −27.78 7/5/73 −9.62 39.62 

8/3/73 −9.81 39.81 

9/5/73 −10.14 40.14 

10/5/73 −11.01 41.01 

11/2/73 −10.53 40.53 

12/12/73 −12.67 42.67 12/11/00 −26.56 

Average change ................................................................................................................................................................................................................

State well 

number

Altitude, in feet 

above 

sea level

1972–73 water-level measurements 1996–97 water-level measurements 1999–2000 water-level measu

Date

Watersurface 

altitude, in 

feet above sea 

level

Depth to 

water, in feet 

below land 

surface

Date

Watersurface 

altitude, in 

feet above sea 

level

Depth to 

water, in feet 

below land 

surface

Date

Watersurface 

altitude in feet 

above sea 

level

wa

be

Table 5. Comparison of 1972–73, 1996–97, and 1999–2000 water-level data for selected wells in the Goleta Central ground-water subbasin, Santa Ba
30 Evaluation of Water-Level Recovery, and Comparison of Water Levels, in Goleta Central Subbasin, Santa Barbara County, California 4N/28W−16J2 26.00 1/4/72 −25.57 51.57 1/20/99 −49.22 

2/2/72 −31.07 57.07 2/22/99 −48.28 3/2/72 −32.60 58.60 3/26/99 −48.31 4/7/72 −35.01 61.01 4/23/99 −48.68 5/2/72 −40.31 66.31 5/8/96 −60.98 86.98 5/19/99 −50.77 6/2/72 −37.00 63.00 6/13/96 −61.43 87.43 6/15/99 −52.21 7/5/72 −39.68 65.68 7/10/96 −62.76 88.76 7/27/99 −52.42 8/2/72 −44.29 70.29 8/19/96 −63.26 89.26 8/18/99 −54.06 9/1/72 −38.97 64.97 9/10/96 −63.03 89.03 

10/4/72 −37.98 63.98 10/1/96 −63.38 89.38 11/3/72 −37.57 63.57 11/4/96 −61.63 87.63 12/5/72 −36.42 62.42 12/2/96 −60.03 86.03 

1/5/73 −35.26 61.26

2/6/73 −34.14 60.14

3/6/73 −32.42 58.42

5/8/73 −32.72 58.72

6/6/73 −34.57 60.57 6/24/97 −62.26 88.26 6/27/00 −48.32 7/5/73 −33.92 59.92

8/3/73 −37.19 63.19

9/5/73 −35.93 61.93

10/5/73 −38.52 64.52

11/2/73 −34.22 60.22

12/12/73 −46.28 72.28 12/9/97 −59.16 85.16 12/11/00 −45.99 

Average change .................................................................................................................................................................................................................

State well 

number

Altitude, in feet 

above 

sea level

1972–73 water-level measurements 1996–97 water-level measurements 1999–2000 water-level measur

Date

Watersurface 

altitude, in 

feet above sea 

level

Depth to 

water, in feet 

below land 

surface

Date

Watersurface 

altitude, in 

feet above sea 

level

Depth to 

water, in feet 

below land 

surface

Date

Watersurface 

altitude in feet 

above sea 

level

D

wa

be

Table 5. Comparison of 1972–73, 1996–97, and 1999–2000 water-level data for selected wells in the Goleta Central ground-water subbasin, Santa Barb
Water-Level Recovery, 1996–97 to 1999–2000 31

19

20 21 22 23

24 19

30

18

17 16

15

14

13 18

7 8 9

10 11

12

7

6

5 4 3 2 1 6

San

Carneros

Creek

Jose

Antonio

San 

Ygnacio

Atascadero

Creek

Maria

Creek

Creek

Creek

San

Las Vegas Cr

Cr

Pedro

Goleta Foothill Blvd

Turnpike Rd

Puente Dr

Rd

Patterson

Kellogg Ave

Fairview Ave

Hollister

Ave

154

Oaks

Ave

Cathedral

Clarence Ward Memorial Blvd

101

GOLETA FAULT

D

U

MESA FAULT

MODOC FAULT

MORE

RANCH

FAULT

CARNEROS

FAULT

SAN JOSE

FAULT

D

U

D

U

D

U

Average change in water-surface altitude, 1972-73

to 1999-2000 – In feet

Change in water-surface altitude at well

Percentage of total quantity of imported

water injected

0.2%

16.5

-30 to -40

-20 to -30

0 to 10

10 to 20

-10 to -20

0 to -10

Decline Rise

No data

EXPLANATION

Consolidated rocks

Unconsolidated rocks

Fault – Dashed where approximately

located, dotted where concealed. U,

upthrown side; D, downthrown side

Fault that is a hydrologic barrier – Dotted

where concealed

Hydrologic barrier

Well

Injection well

Well measured monthly

2 MILES

0 2 KILOMETERS

0

Santa Ynez Mountains

Hope Ranch

Pacific Ocean

119°47'30" 119°45'

34°

25'

119°50'

T4N

R28W

R27W

Goleta

NORTH SUBBASIN

CENTRAL

SUBBASIN

FOOTHILL

WEST SUBBASIN

SUBBASIN

34°

27'

30"

Evenson and others (1962)

Faults modified from Dibblee (1987), and

Freckleton (1989)

2.2%

4.4%

-9.2

17.2%

12.7%

12.6

5.4%

3.3%

12.2%

8.2% 7.6% 2.8%

4.3%

6.1% 8.5%

1.4%

0.2%

0.3%

0.9%

2.3%

-2.6

16.5

-1.8

-17.4

-0.2 -1.6

-21.1

-1.2

-21.9

-31.7

-13.4

-13.2

Figure 6. Change in average water-surface altitude between 1972–73 and 1999–2000 in the Goleta Central ground-water subbasin, Santa 

Barbara County, California. 
32 Evaluation of Water-Level Recovery and Comparison of Water Levels in Goleta Central Subbasin, Santa Barbara County, California

0-10

10-20

20-30

30-40

No data

19

20 21 22 23

24

19

30

18

17 16

15

14

13 18

7 8 9

10 11

12

7

6

5 4 3 2 1 6

San

Carneros

Creek

Jose

Antonio

San 

Ygnacio

Atascadero

Creek

Maria

Creek

Creek

Creek

San

Las Vegas Cr

Cr

Pedro

Goleta Foothill Blvd

Turnpike Rd

Puente Dr

Rd

Kellogg Ave

Patterson

Fairview Ave

Hollister

Ave

154

Oaks

Ave

Cathedral

Clarence Ward Memorial Blvd

101

GOLETA FAULT

D

U

MESA FAULT

MODOC FAULT

MORE

RANCH

FAULT

CARNEROS

FAULT

SAN JOSE

FAULT

D

U

D

U

D

U

Santa Ynez Mountains

EXPLANATION

Hope Ranch

Pacific Ocean

2 MILES

0 2 KILOMETERS

0

119°47'30" 119°45'

34°

25'

119°50'

Consolidated rocks

T4N

R28W

R27W

Unconsolidated rocks

Fault – Dashed where approximately

located, dotted where concealed. U,

upthrown side; D, downthrown side

Fault that is a hydrologic barrier – Dotted

where concealed

Hydrologic barrier

Goleta

NORTH SUBBASIN

CENTRAL

SUBBASIN

FOOTHILL

WEST SUBBASIN

SUBBASIN

Average change in water-surface altitude, 1996-97

to 1999-2000 – In feet

Change in water-surface altitude at well

Percentage of total quantity of imported

water injected

1.4%

13.4

Well

Injection well

Well measured monthly

34°

27'

30"

Evenson and others (1962),

Faults modified from Dibblee (1987), and

Freckleton (1989)

2.2%

4.4%

9.7

17.2%

12.7%

5.4%

3.3%

12.2%

8.2% 7.6% 2.8%

4.3%

6.1% 8.5%

0.2%

1.4%

0.3%

0.9%

2.3%

12.3

36.8

9.9

26.0

28.3 26.6

5.6

3.5

25.7

8.1

13.4

12.4

11.0

6.2

Figure 7. Change in average water-surface altitude between 1996–97 and 1999–2000 in the Goleta Central ground-water subbasin, Santa 

Barbara County, California. 
References Cited 33

SUMMARY AND CONCLUSIONS

During February 1998–January 1999, 

approximately 2,225 acre-ft of surplus water was 

recharged into the Goleta Central ground-water 

subbasin. Monthly recharge ranged from a high of 

about 320 acre-ft during May 1998 to a low of 

30 acre-ft during January 1999. During this period, the 

highest percentage of water (about 17 percent, 

383 acre-ft) was injected in well 4N/28W-10G7.

A preliminary water budget suggests that the 

inflow into the system, which ranged from about 4,170 

to about 9,684 acre-ft, exceeded the outflow, which 

ranged from about 1,326 to 2,166 acre-ft. This resulted 

in a net change in storage of about 2,844 to 7,518 

acre-ft in the aquifer system during 1998–99. Because 

of scant streamflow and pumpage data, all recharge and 

discharge values in this budget were estimated from 

available information and various assumptions. 

Assuming that the preliminary estimates of natural 

recharge to and discharge from the basin are somewhat 

reasonable, the 2,225 acre-ft of injected water is about 

one-half to one-fourth of the recharge. A ground-waterflow model could test and refine estimated recharge and 

discharge from the Goleta Central ground-water 

subbasin and, once calibrated, it could be used to 

predict the effects of different pumping scenarios.

 Since 1996–97, water levels in the basin have 

risen about 4 to 37 ft in 15 wells measured during 

1999–2000 for this study. Water levels in 1999–2000 in 

2 of 15 wells exceeded 1972–73 levels, whereas water 

levels in the remaining 13 wells were about 1 to 32 ft 

below 1972–73 water levels.

Solely on the basis of measured water levels, 

injection has had a greater effect in the eastern part of 

the basin than near the airport and north of the Goleta 

Fault. More than 50 percent of the injection is within a 

mile of the eastern part of the basin, whereas about 

10 percent of the injection is near the airport. On the 

basis of a comparison of water levels measured in the 

15 wells during 1972–73 and 1999–2000, water levels 

in the eastern part of the basin in 1999–2000 have 

reached or exceeded 1972 water levels. Water levels in 

most of the western half of the basin are below 1972 

levels.

Long-term hydrographs indicate that water levels throughout the basin have been rising since the cessation of pumpage by GWD in the early 1990’s. The 

average water-level change between 1996–97 and 

1999–2000 conditions is a rise that ranged from about 

4 to 37 ft in the basin. The largest water-level change is 

in the southeastern end of the basin near the intersection of two faults and probably is due to both the proximity of the well to the faults, which appear to act as 

ground-water barriers, and the relatively large amount 

of injection from two nearby injection wells. The 

smallest water-level change is in the western end of the 

basin and north of the Goleta Fault and suggests that 

the injection water has not yet affected this area. 

REFERENCES CITED

Agajanian, J., Rockwell, G.L., Hayes, P.D., and Anderson, 

S.W., 1998, Water resources data California Water Year 

1998, U.S. Geological Survey Water-Data Report 

CA-98-1, 427 p.

Ceres Online, 1997 URL<http://www.ceresgroup.com/col/

weather/cimis/sb_monthly.shtml.

Dibblee, T. W., 1987, Geologic map of the Goleta quadrangle, Santa Barbara County, California: Dibblee 

Foundation Map DF-07, Santa Barbara, California.

Driscoll, F.G., 1986, Groundwater and wells: St. Paul 

Minnesota, Johnson Division, p. 855.

Evenson, R.E., Wilson, H.D. Jr., and Muir, K.S., 1962, Yield 

of the Carpinteria and Goleta ground-water basins, 

Santa Barbara, California, 1941–48: U.S. Geological 

Survey Open-File Report, 112 p.

Freckleton, J.R., 1989, Geohydrology of the Foothill 

ground-water basin near Santa Barbara, California: 

U.S. Geological Survey Water-Resources Investigations Report 89-4017, 46 p.

Freckleton, J.R., Martin, Peter, and Nishikawa, Tracy, 1998, 

Geohydrology of Storage Unit III and a combined flow 

model of the Santa Barbara and Foothill ground-water 

basin, Santa Barbara County, California: U.S. Geological Survey Water-Resources Investigations Report 

97-4121, 80 p.

Freeze, R.A., and Cherry, J.A., 1979, Groundwater: 

Prentice-Hall, Inc., p. 364.

Kaehler, C.A., Pratt, D.A., and Paybins, K.S., 1997, Comparison of 1972 and 1996 water levels in the Goleta 

Central Ground-Water Subbasin, Santa Barbara, 

County, California: U.S. Geological Survey WaterResources Investigations Report 97-4109, 31 p.

Muir, K.S., 1968, Ground-water reconnaissance of the Santa 

Barbara-Montecito area, Santa Barbara County, 

California: U.S. Geological Survey Water-Supply Paper 

1859-A, 28 p.

Todd Engineers, 1984, Perennial Yield of the Goleta Groundwater Basin: Report to Goleta Water Districts: Goleta, 

California (available from District Office, 4699 

Hollister Avenue, Goleta, California).
34 Evaluation of Water-Level Recovery and Comparison of Water Levels in Goleta Central Subbasin, Santa Barbara County, California

Todd Engineers, 1985, Goleta Groundwater Basin Management Plan, Phase 1: Report to Goleta Water District, 

35 p., Goleta, California (available from District Office, 

4699 Hollister Avenue, Goleta, California).

———, 1986, Goleta Groundwater Basin Management 

Plan, Phase 2: Report to Goleta Water District, 37 p., 

Goleta, California (available from District Office, 4699 

Hollister Avenue, Goleta, California).

University of California Cooperative Extension, 1991, 

Irrigation water use for major crops grown in Santa 

Barbara County.

Upson, J.E., 1951 [1952], Geology and ground-water 

resources of the south-coast basins of Santa Barbara 

County, California, with a section on Surface-water 

resources, by H.G. Thomasson, Jr.: U.S. Geological 

Survey Water-Supply Paper 1108, 144 p.