Latest News from LESJWA

The Lake Elsinore & San Jacinto Watersheds Authority (LESJWA) invites you to the 2024 LESJWA Water Summit. Our watershed faces unique challenges that require action and agency collaboration to seek solutions for watershed management. The Lake Elsinore and Canyon Lake Total Maximum Daily Load (TMDL) Task Force is an active partner in improving watershed challenges throughout the San Jacinto Watershed. The Summit will feature update efforts on the Task Force’s efforts towards meeting the TMDLs established by the Santa Ana Regional Water Quality Control Board. When: Tuesday, April 30, 2024 8:00 AM – 1:00 PM Where: Launch Pointe Clubhouse 32040 Riverside Drive Lake Elsinore, CA 92530 Click here register: https://degrave-communications.ticketleap.com/2024-lesjwa-water-summit/details.

MEDIA STATEMENT May 17, 2023 CONTACT Rick Whetsel SAWPA Senior Watershed Manager 951-354-4222 rwhetsel@sawpa.org   The following statement has been prepared in response to the recent photos from a Canyon Lake resident concerning alum flocs in areas of the lake. “The cause of the floating alum floc shown is mostly likely due to the significantly high concentrations of algae present in the water column. Due to the delayed start on the alum application, a  combination of the warming weather, and the abundance of nutrients in the water column from the numerous winter storms, conditions are more conducive for the algae to feed on. The alum floc shown in the photos will eventually settle out of the water column in this area as an inert (harmless, non-reactive) compound, but it is uncertain how long this time-period will be. The settling could take as little as a day or as long as several days. However, a benefit of the extended time that the alum remains suspended in the water column, is that there is greater opportunity for the alum to bind with any remaining phosphorus in the water column and provide for the maximum amount of phosphorus removal, which is used to feed algae. On day 2 of the alum application, Aquatechnex switched their application technology from a surface spray application to sub-surface injection to reduce the amount of alum floating on the lake surface. Aquatechnex plans to complete the remainder of the alum application (Days 2 through 4) using sub-surface injection. This should be most beneficial when applying alum to the shallower Easy Bay and North Ski Area above the causeway. It is not recommended that additional water spraying be done to break up the alum that has concentrated in the narrow coves, as this could result in the floating alum floc spraying onto any nearby boats or docks.”

Lake Elsinore & San Jacinto Watersheds Authority (LESJWA), is informing the Canyon Lake Lake Elsinore & San Jacinto Watersheds Authority (LESJWA), is informing the Canyon Lake community that doses of alum will be applied to the lake in the main body, east bay and the area north of the causeway from April 10-14, 2023. Alum binds with phosphorus in the lake water, drops the nutrient to the lake bottom and thereby reduces algae growth in the lake. Canyon Lake water mostly comes from stormwater runoff from the upper watershed each year that has high levels of nutrients that hurt water quality and threaten aquatic life. This dose will be the 19th Canyon Lake alum application that has taken place. Alum, the method selected to provide the best results for Canyon Lake, has a proven track record of success and is safe to both humans and aquatic life. Drinking water quality will not be affected by any of the treatment options. Canyon Lake will remain open during the entire treatment process. Recreational users will experience little disruption during treatment application and implementation. In order to comply with water quality regulations enforced by the State, through the local Santa Ana Regional Water Quality Control Board, the Lake Elsinore & Canyon Lake Nutrient Total Maximum Daily Load (TMDL) Task Force, a coalition of cities, the county and several other organizations led by LESJWA, provides funding to continue alum water treatments in Canyon Lake. The TMDL Task Force evaluated several options during the CEQA process and determined that alum application provides the best option as a step to effectively treat the entire lake in a timely manner with minimal impact to Canyon Lake residents. Alum Schedule (subject to change) Monday, April 10 Main Body 7:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m. Tuesday, April 11 Main Body 7:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m. Wednesday, April 12 Main Body to West End of East Bay 7:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m. Thursday, April 13 East Ramp 7:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m. Friday, April 14 North Ski Area/Clean-up 7:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m. View the Canyon Lake Alum Application video View daily operational updates Download Public Notice Announcement PDFs Additional Information Mark Norton Lake Elsinore & San Jacinto Watershed Authority Tel: 951-354-4221 Email: MNorton@sawpa.org

Lake Elsinore & San Jacinto Watersheds Authority (LESJWA), is informing the Canyon Lake community that doses of alum will be applied to the lake in the main body, east bay and the area north of the causeway from October 11-15, 2021. Alum binds with phosphorus in the lake water, drops the nutrient to the lake bottom and thereby reduces algae growth in the lake.  Canyon Lake water mostly comes from stormwater runoff from the upper watershed each year that has  high levels of nutrients that hurt water quality and threaten aquatic life. This dose will be the 16th Canyon Lake alum application that has taken place. Alum, the method selected to provide the best results for Canyon Lake, has a proven track record of success and is safe to both humans and aquatic life. Drinking water quality will not be affected by any of the treatment options. Canyon Lake will remain open during the entire treatment process. Recreational users will experience little disruption during treatment application and implementation. In order to comply with water quality regulations enforced by the State, through the local Santa Ana Regional Water Quality Control Board, the Lake Elsinore & Canyon Lake Nutrient Total Maximum Daily Load (TMDL) Task Force, a coalition of cities, the county and several other organizations led by LESJWA, provides  funding to continue alum water treatments in Canyon Lake. The TMDL Task Force evaluated several options during the CEQA process and determined that alum application provides the best option as a step to effectively treat the entire lake in a timely manner with minimal impact to Canyon Lake residents. Alum Schedule (subject to change) Monday, October 11 Main Body 7:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m. Tuesday, October 12 Main Body 7:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m. Wednesday, October 13 Main Body 7:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m. Thursday, October 14 East Ramp / North Causeway 7:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m. Friday, October 15 Clean-up View the Canyon Lake Alum Application video View daily operational updates Download Public Notice Announcement PDF Additional Information Mark Norton Lake Elsinore & San Jacinto Watershed Authority Tel: 951-354-4221 Email: MNorton@sawpa.org

Lake Elsinore is being restocked with fish — the latest in continuing efforts to help improve the lake’s water quality and ecosystem. Early Friday, Dec. 4, the lake was stocked with bluegill, black crappie, striped bass and redear sunfish. The species were chosen after a year-long population study found that some types of fish — including channel catfish, largemouth bass, silverside minnows and mosquitofish — were overpopulating the lake.

The Lake Elsinore & San Jacinto Watersheds Authority (LESJWA) recently wrapped up a one-year study that evaluated the Lake Elsinore fishery and identified potential solutions to improve the lake’s ecosystem and overall water quality in Lake Elsinore. The study was funded by the Lake Elsinore and Canyon Lake Nutrient Total Maximum Daily Load Task Force, a committee of water agencies and organizations representing the San Jacinto River Watershed under LESJWA.

Lake Elsinore & San Jacinto Watersheds Authority (LESJWA), is informing the Canyon Lake community that doses of alum will be applied to the lake in the main body, east bay and the area north of the causeway from October 12-16, 2020.

April showers will bring May flowers, and they have also caused the Canyon Lake’s Railroad Canyon Dam to spill over and send millions of gallons of water into Lake Elsinore. This overflow, caused by repeated days of heavy rains, has brought Lake Elsinore to a water level of 1244.85’, the highest since June 2012.

Hands-on tag and release events to survey the fishery and identify short and long-term projects to improve water quality.

“The revised and more scientifically defensible TMDLs are evidence that the efforts of LESJWA have made, and continue to make, reflect a positive impact to the watershed,” shared Mark Norton, LESJWA administrator. “We achieved what we set out to accomplish but know that there is more work to follow to adapt to continued drought cycle challenges. LESJWA and the TMDL Task Force have had to seek creative solutions to a complex situation.”