Cachuma Operation and Maintenance Board

The Cachuma Operation and Maintenance Board (COMB) is a California Joint Powers Agency formed in 1956 pursuant to an agreement with the Bureau of Reclamation. The agreement transferred to the Cachuma Member Units the responsibility to operate, repair and maintain all Cachuma Project facilities, except Bradbury Dam, which the Bureau of Reclamation has continued to operate. Its Cachuma Member Units include Carpinteria Valley Water District, City of Santa Barbara, Goleta Water District, Montecito Water District, and Santa Ynez River Water Conservation District-Improvement District No. 1.

COMB is responsible for diversion of water to the South Coast through the Tecolote Tunnel, and operation and maintenance of the South Coast Conduit pipeline, flow control valves, meters, and instrumentation at control stations, and turnouts along the South Coast Conduit and at four regulating reservoirs.

COMB coordinates closely with the Bureau of Reclamation and Member Units' staff to ensure that water supplies meet daily demands.