Santa Cruz crews work to prevent flooding at Neary Lagoon

Neary Lagoon in Santa Cruz is being pumped ahead of a storm moving into the Central Coast Thursday to prevent flooding, according to city managers.

Crews are digging out a canal at Cowell Beach to allow nearly a million gallons of water to flow out to the ocean.

“Normally, the first maybe small storm we can hold in the lagoon but with the potential of these storms lining up we’re just going to go ahead and open it,” said Santa Cruz flood control manager Chris Cave.

City staff said they give swimmers notice before beginning the pumping process.