In preparation for its annual dam inspection, Elsinore Valley Municipal Water District will be opening the dam valves and releasing water on Tuesday, November 28. This will allow surveyors to access the dam crest.
The lake level is expected to lower by approximately one foot, according to EVMWD Director Darcy Burke.
Residents near the dam will be notified today through a robo call. Customer water service will not be impacted.
Canyon Lake Dam was built in built in 1928. In 1996, EVMWD spent about $9.1 million to upgrade and widen the dam to withstand a 1,000-year flood event. The dam has valves that allow water to be drained for maintenance and emergency purposes at its base. These valves do not function as a flood control measure. Rather, EVMWD uses these valves for flushing and maintenance. Regular exercising of these valves helps prevent major maintenance problems for the dam and are required to be opened when inspected by the state. The dam maintains the level of Canyon Lake Reservoir, an important drinking water source that is replenished primarily by rain.
For more information, contact EVMWD’s Operations Department at 951-674-3146, ext. 8395.
