San Vicente Reservoir Closing to Recreation Sept. 2
August 26, 2008
Beginning Tuesday, Sept. 2, San Vicente Reservoir will be closed to all recreational use in preparation for a project to…
Beginning Tuesday, Sept. 2, San Vicente Reservoir will be closed to all recreational use in preparation for a project to raise the height of the reservoir’s dam to increase its water storage capacity. During the closure of the city of San Diego-owned reservoir, water skiing, wake boarding, general boating and fishing will not be allowed.
The San Diego County Water Authority is overseeing the construction of the San Vicente Dam Raise Project, which scheduled to begin in early 2009 and will take about four years. Refilling the reservoir after construction will take another two to five years. The reservoir will reopen to recreation sometime between 2014 and 2017, once the water level reaches the new boat launch ramp. More than three years of community outreach was conducted to ensure that recreational users and the surrounding community were aware of the extended closure.
The San Vicente Dam Raise Project is part of the Water Authority’s more than $1 billion Emergency Storage Project, which is creating new emergency water storage and pipeline connections to deliver water throughout the region if our imported water supply is disrupted.
“The City has worked closely with the Water Authority on this important project,” said San Diego Mayor Jerry Sanders. “In the end, the region will have much needed additional water storage and recreational users will benefit from a new and expanded marina and reservoir.”
“The San Vicente Dam Raise project, which is the largest of its kind in the U.S., is critically important to the future water supply reliability of San Diego County,” said Water Authority Board Chair Fern Steiner. “When complete, we will be able to store an additional 152,000 acre feet of water supply in the region for use during emergencies and drought, when we need it most.
While San Vicente Reservoir is closed, water skiers and wake boarders can use the City of San Diego’s El Capitan Reservoir. Fishing is also allowed at El Capitan Reservoir, in addition to the City’s other reservoirs. For more information, please visit the City of San Diego’s Web site at www.sandiego.gov/water/recreation.
As part of the San Vicente Dam Raise project, the Water Authority will also construct a new marina for the reservoir. The new marina will reduce boat launching wait times, provide picnic and shade areas, and increase the parking spaces and areas for boat preparation.
For questions about the San Vicente Dam Raise project, please call the Water Authority’s toll-free information line at (877) 426-2010 or email ESPinfo@sdcwa.org. Information is also available on the Water Authority’s Web site at www.sdcwa.org. Click on “Infrastructure,” then “ESP,” then “San Vicente Dam Raise.”
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