Friends of San Diego Lakes

Supervisors greenlight pilot program for El Capitan Reservoir, promising expanded access

San Diego County Board of Supervisors voted 5-0 to approve pilot program for El Capitan Reservoir. Photo courtesy Friends of San Diego Lakes via Instagram
 
By Karen Pearlman
 
Oct. 1, 2025 (San Diego County) -- In a move hailed by East County residents and recreation advocates, the San Diego County Board of Supervisors voted unanimously Wednesday to approve a pilot program that could dramatically expand public access and recreational opportunities at El Capitan Reservoir in Lakeside.
 
Championed by Supervisor Joel Anderson of District 2 and Vice Chair Monica Montgomery Steppe of District 4, by a 5-0 vote, the Supervisors approved a recommendation to allocate up to $2.4 million over four years to allow the County’s Department of Parks and Recreation to oversee maintenance and operation of the reservoir's recreational activities.
 
The goal is to establish a consistent, year-round operation model similar to the successful long-term partnership currently in place at Lake Morena.
 

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