Over the years the Cold Springs Creek basin has repeated a cycle of filling and cleaning. (Mike Eliason / Santa Barbara County Fire Department) Sheriffs deputies carry a body from the debris near Hot Springs Road in Montecito. The threat of catastrophic erosion loomed as county crews cleared out the debris basin at Cold Springs Creek and four others. (Wally Skalij / Los Angeles Times)Below its basin, Cold Springs Creek joins another stream to form Montecito Creek, which runs through the center of town. A view of Cold Springs Creek Basin from before and after the Montecito mudslides.

Source: Los Angeles Times December 20, 2018 13:03 UTC