Barnard Construction, Inc., of Bozeman, Montana, was the construction contractor. Work on the dam has not disrupted water deliveries, fishing, or other recreational activities at Casitas Lake. Project Status Construction of the berm was completed in October 2000. The dam's intake structure was also upgraded to better withstand earthquakes. Interim environmental protection measures will continue through 2001 as work proceeds on restoring the construction site, haul road, and borrow area.
Plans call for regrading, seeding with natural grasses, and planting native shrubs and trees.
Background Authorized in 1956 and completed in 1959, Casitas Dam is the key component of the Ventura River Project. The dam is located on Coyote Creek about 2 miles above its junction with the Ventura River. The reservoir has a storage capacity of 250,000 acre-feet of water. Other features of the Ventura River Project include the Robles Diversion Dam on the Ventura River, a canal to transport water from the diversion dam to Lake Casitas, and a high pressure pipeline distribution system. Lake Casitas provides potable water to areas within the Casitas Municipal Water District.