By Miriam Raftery

September 5, 2014 (San Diego’s East County)—In light of improved revenues and reduced losses at Lake Jennings, the majority of Helix Water District board members on Wednesday opted to support keeping the lake and its campground open for another year in hopes that it will become financially sustainable.

April 26, 2014 (San Diego's East County) - Helix Water District has selected 17 winning entries in its Lake Jennings Month-of-March Photo Contest.  Seventy-five submissions competed in two categories, adult and youth, for cash prizes of $100 for first places, $50 for second places and $25 for third places.  Honorable mentions receive ribbons and certificates.

November 28, 2013 (Lakeside) – While your east coast relatives are shivering in snowstorms, you can savor the warmth of our California sunshine by enjoying the great outdoors over the holiday season.  Thankfully,  Lake Jennings will be open throughout the Thanksgiving weekend, including Thanksgiving Day. Heads up, students! The lake will also be open during winter break, closing only on Christmas Day, December 25.

Lake Jennings is a popular site for camping, fishing, hiking and picnicking. The campground is open 365 days a year, 24 hours a day.  Camping reservations can be made online at www.lakejennings.org.  Now,  the lake is also available for rental for special events.

Closure of popular recreation facility among options

By Miriam Raftery

November 3, 2013 (La Mesa) – At its meeting on Wednesday, November 6, Helix Water District will vote on whether to have staff prepared detailed reports on four options for the future of Lake Jennings. Those options include:

• close the lake to the public and decommission campgrounds and fishing facilities,
• limit public access to only hiking, picnicking and fishing- -but the lake would no longer be stocked with fish and campgrounds would be decommissioned,
• Maintain camping and fishing and invest $1,600,000 to $3,600,000 in renovations, or
• Create a master plan for renovation and expansion based on the 2007 Lake Jennings Campground Master Plan at a cost of $8 million to $15 million, with additional expenses for permitting, environmental impact and mitigation.
  

By Miriam Raftery

September 5, 2013 (La Mesa) – Four years ago, Helix Water District took back management of Lake Jennings from the County.  But now the board is weighing options to reduce its operating costs or raise revenues generated by the 9,700 acre reservoir in Lakeside. Those options include closing the lake, offering a long-term lease to a neighboring district, or privatizing the lake’s facilities by turning over management to a company such as  KOA, which operates campgrounds nationwide.

On September 13 at 10 a.m., the District will hold a public workshop at its administration building, 7811 University Avenue in La Mesa. You can also send comments to the board at  board@helixwater.org

July 11, 2013 (Lakeside) – What could be more idyllic than to while away a summer’s day at a beautiful lake?  You can channel your inner Tom Sawyer as you explore Lake Jennings, where you can try your hand at fishing,  campin,g hiking trails to savor nature watching, or glide across the water’s surface aboard a rented canoe, motorboat, or paddle boat.

As a special treat for family summer fun seekers, the recreational side of Lake Jennings (a reservoir)  is open daily in July. Hours are Sundays through Thursdays 5:30 a.m. to 8:30 p.m. and on Fridays and Saturdays, 5;30 a.m. until midnight for those who wish to savor the outdoor experience under the stars after  sunset – or do some night fishing.

March 2, 2013 (San Diego’s East County) –  Photos taken at Lake Jennings during March may be entered in Helix Water District’s Lake Jennings Photo Contest.  Prizes of up to $100 will be awarded in adult and student categories. Photos can be of any aspect of the lake—wildlife, wild flowers, camping, fishing, boating, scenic views.  They can be up to 10 mg and must be e-mailed to:  lakejenningsphotocontest@helixwater.org.   An entry and release form must accompany each photo and can be found at:  www.lakejennings.org/photocontest/index.htm.  Contest rules are also posted at this URL.  Last year’s winners can be seen at:  http://www.facebook.com/pages/Lake-Jennings/301972993198610

December 4, 2010 (San Diego's East County) – This fall, as part of the Helix Water District’s watershed awareness campaign, a photo contest was held for residents that live within the Lake Jennings watershed. The District has now announced the winner—Sid Cavey who lives near the reservoir and submitted a spectacular photo of a rainbow over the Lake, which is located in Lakeside.