The long-standing rule against swimming in Lake Cachuma has come under renewed focus. Santa Barbara County is exploring how to change the rule that prevents visitors from swimming in the local reservoir while still maintaining its status as a water source for the region. … The rule against swimming in the lake goes back to its creation in 1953, when the U.S. Bureau of Reclamation created Lake Cachuma through the construction of the Bradbury Dam. Even though the county manages the park, the lake itself is still owned by the Bureau of Reclamation. Brian Soares, the operations and maintenance manager for Lake Cachuma, said the reason swimming has not been allowed at the lake is that the water is used to supply Santa Barbara County areas with drinking water.