June 25, 2014 (Santee) – The Santee Firefighters Fishing Derby is set for Saturday, July 12 at Santee Lakes from 6 a.m. to 11 a.m.

Derby participants will receive a free day permit, worms, raffle ticket, hot dog lunch and free door prizes while they last.

“I don’t want Disney Land in my backyard!”—Santee Lakes Resident

Jessica Richmond

April 24, 2014 (Santee)-- Amid growing residents’ concerns, Santee Lakes park administrators dropped the proposed plan for a recreational zip line, removing it from a proposed master plan. After meeting with community members, staff decided it would be in the best interests of the residents and the park to keep incursions into the peaceful out-door serenity to a minimum. Many Santee resident were outspoken in their protests against the addition of a zip line for fears that it would endanger wildlife and increase noise, traffic, and parking problems, leading to over-commercialization of the natural beauty at the lakes.

November 26, 2013 (SanteE)--Santa and snow are in the forecast on Sunday, December 8^th from 11 a.m. – 4 p.m. at the annual Santa at the Lakes EVENT at Santee Lakes Recreation Preserve. You'll find plenty of snow for sledding, Santa visits, and s’mores around the fire as highlights of this year’s event.

March 20, 2013 (Santee) – Padre Dam Municipal Water District’s Board of Directors unanimously approved a $1 per month lease agreement for the Santee Teen Center located at Santee Lakes Recreation Preserve. The City of Santee requested the $1.00 per month lease payment for the Teen Center building due to funding shortfalls for the Teen Center Program.

November 26, 2012 (Santee) – Santee Lakes Recreation Preserve will be holding Santa at the Lakes on December 9 from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m.  There will be snow for sledding, pony rides, a petting zoo, carnival rides and craft booths.  The star of the event will be Santa.

Parking is $5 per vehicle and activity and ride tickets are 50 cents each.  For moe information call 619-596-3141 or visit www.santeelakes.com.

July 18, 2012 (Santee) – Santee Lakes hosts Friday movie nights this summer.  Bring a blanket or chairs and your picnic and enjoy movies under the stars.  The Friday night lineup includes:

Kung Fu Panda – July 20
Muppets – August 3
Dolphin Tale – August 17

By Greg Dunne

January 16, 2012 (Lindo Lake) --  The latest poser for my Canon was this beautiful Mandarin Duck on January 14.  On a cold, cloudy Saturday  morning at the water’s edge at Lindo Lake it was my first new bird of the year 2012!  This is the first time I’ve seen a Mandarin Duck in the wild.

By Greg Dunne

By Miriam Raftery
 

March 24, 2011 (Santee) – Padre Dam Municipal Water District announced today that its Board of Directors voted on March 22 to end its agreement with Sudweeks Development LLC to construct and operate a cable ski park at Santee Lakes. Sudweeks “was unable to proceed with the project and requested a settlement. The lack of available financing in the current economy played a major role in Sudweeks’ request,” a press release issued by the district revealed.
 

“We saw the cable ski park as a new and exciting family recreation opportunity, and as an innovative use of recycled water for recreation, which is what Santee Lakes is all about,” said Padre Dam’s General Manager, Allen Carlisle. The project, which would have been built on Lake 1, also included a restaurant, pro shop and recreational beach area.
 

But Julie Naggar, who has led opposition to the project, said she is relieved by the cancellation. “I just think it’s a win for the neighborhood… The people who love this park come here for the beauty of it. A daily ski park would have been unbearable, with the noise and the crowds.”

January 14, 2011 (Santee) – It sounds like a fish story: Santee Lakes are stocked with 13,000 pounds of rainbow trout during trout season from November through March. This stock includes large trophy trout up to 16 pounds, as well as tagged trout worth cash and prizes. In addition, the lucky fisherman who catches the biggest whopper of a trout on Saturday, January 15th will win a Nintendo Wii.

7 candidates vie for 3 seats
By Miriam Raftery
October 7, 2010 (San Diego’s East County) – Water board races don’t often stir up controversy.