RAINS REPLENISH LOCAL RESERVOIRS

By Miriam Raftery

May 26, 2019 (San Diego) – At the 24 reservoirs across San Diego County, recent rain storms have helped to restore water levels depleted by several years of drought.  

Ten reservoirs are now at 80% capacity or more:

• Lake Turner, Valley Center 100%
• Lake Dixon, Escondido 94%
• Lake Jennings, Lakeside 90%
• Lake Murray, San Diego 87%
• Lake Olivenhein 86%
• Lake Poway 85%
• Lower Otay Reservoir 83%
• Lake Miramar, San Diego 83%
• San Vicente Reservoir, Lakeside 80%
• Lake Wohlford, Escondido 80%

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Four remain below 25% capacity:

• Lake Ramona 24%
• Lake Cuyamaca 20%
• Lake Sutherland, Ramona 20%
• Lake Morena 10%

Lake Barrett, which before the winter rains was below 10% capacity, is now nearly half full at 49.5%. Lake Morena, which was down below 3% after San Diego city water officials ordered it drained during the drought to supply urban water needs, has more than tripled but remains low at 10%.

Others measured include:

• Sweetwater, Spring Valley 54%
• Lake Hodges, Escondido 54%
• Red Mountain, Fallbrook 44%
• El Capitan, Lakeside 40%
• San Dieguito 33%
• Lake Henshaw, Vista 33%

Altogether, our region’s reservoirs are at 58% capacity according to the latest measurements posted by the county on May 15, 2019, though the actual totals are slightly higher; the city’s  updates to its reservoirs updated May 21 show slightly more water for some reservoirs.

County of San Diego Reservoirs: https://www.sdcwa.org/reservoirs

City of San Diego reservoirs: https://www.sandiego.gov/reservoirs-lakes/about/water-levels