San Vicente Lake - SoCal
 

http://waterdata.usgs.gov/nwis/uv/?s...agency_cd=USGS

Discuss.

Wow. I thought some of the Socal/San Diego peeps would be excited. +20ft in 65 days in San Diego is not regular inflow numbers.

They are finally raising the water level! I believe 660ft is minimum launch for the new ramp. 40ft to go before it becomes a real possibility.

Wow, I had no idea it was so close. I hate to be Debbie Downer, but I'm sure the powers that be will ban water contact as soon as it opens! :(

Wow...maybe it is time to stop draining water from Lake Mead...we are down 15 ft from March and they are expecting another 12 ft over the next two months...

We don't take Lake Mead water. Start closing some casinos and stop building houses if you want to save Lake Mead.

I just emailed the SD Water Authority, so we will see what they say. I did drive by last week on the way to the river and it was up a lot.

Hate, let us know what you hear. I emailed SD Water Authority about 6 months ago and they said that they were consistent with the timeline on the website (2014-2017). That's about all I could get out of them.

Ummm Not that my comment was aimed at you being, well not so bright, but since you brought it up...where do you think the water comes from? Magic?!!!

Let me help you out...our journey begins as snowfall in the Rockies and when spring arrives the snow melts and flows into the mighty Colorado River and travels all the way to Southern California by way of Lake Powell, Lake Mead, Lake Mohave, and Lake Havasu. At the Lake Havasu Dam the Colorado River Aqueduct caries water over 200 mi west into southern Cal. Here is where it gets tricky.... The San Diego Aqueduct is connected to the Colorado River Aqueduct which takes water to your lovely San Vicente lake/reservoir.

Hence the majority of the water in San Vicente Lake is from Lake Mead...Lake Mead released water and San Vicente lake has more water in it....unless you have received a ton of rain lately!

I did not think so....:D


Izzy

Just think about what we are all doing to Powell. :(

The good news is the Colorado River Snow Pack is about 22% more than last year......Now if California could get some rain it would help us all out!

Izzy, no lessons needed here I know where all water comes from and where it goes, since being employed at a Water rights hedge fund. Our facilities are stockpiled full with water ready for sale. Nice boat your got there. And tell Vegas to stop building hotels and houses and Mead will go up. Lake Mead released water and it is going to Mexico for the past six weeks if you haven't heard. Yea San V got some. But the dam was raised 100' and they are going to be taking alot more water real soon over the next 6 months just so you are aware.

she did send me an email back

Our original timeline for reopening San Vicente Reservoir still stands: sometime between late 2014 and 2017, depending on water supply and demand. The new marina is still in construction through this summer.

I’m not sure if you are asking if the water is 60 feet too low, or 60 linear feet short of the boat ramp. Neither is the case, however. This week the water is about 20 feet lower in elevation than the ramp (now in construction). With the statewide drought under way, cutbacks in water deliveries from Northern California and a hot summer (high water demands) on the horizon, we don’t have a firm timeline for when the water level will reach (and stay) at the minimum elevation for boating.

On the plus side, the Water Authority and the city of San Diego opted to extend the new boat ramp about 20 feet lower than the original, so the city will have more options to maintain access to boaters during a future drought or major draw-down of stored water.

For more details about a reopening date, I will refer you to the city of San Diego lakes staff, since the city will operate the reservoir and determine when it can be opened. We understand you are eager to return to San Vicente, and that you have been waiting patiently for several years. We’re nearly there, but not quite.:banghead::banghead::banghead::banghead:

Good details, thanks. Let's stay tuned and when the right time comes keep the pressure on the city.

It's continuing...

Wow, where is all that water coming from??

With El Cap limited to just the front basin for water towing, it San V can't happen fast enough. I was at El Cap last weekend Sunday morning early. With only 3-4 boats towing in the stupid counter-clockwise fashion required by rules, the basin was a mess. Hardly worth going unless you hit it up Thursday or Friday morning literally at dawn.

The aqueduct.

I watch it nearly every day. Low elevation for the ramp is supposedly 660 ft and it currently is sitting at 631+ ft. 29 feet to go before we can even consider launching.

I'm thinking that they are re-directing imports from El Cap to San Vicente. I'm guessing they are going to maintain this strategy until the Fall. If the El Nino year becomes a reality and water imports continue in a positive direction next Spring, a San Vicente opening in April/May in time for the Summer recreation schedule is a possibility, thus allowing them to maintain at least 1 water contact lake in the county.

I'm in the boat buying market in Dec/January this upcoming winter and I want this progress to further justify a purchase.

Update: Water level is nearly 636ft, minimum to launch is 645ft according to an SDWA representative that I spoke to today. Another source with inside information confirmed that the lake will draw down this summer/fall due to lack of imports and drought conditions. He also has knowledge that the marina will be completed for the summer season next year and that the lake should be open by April.

Woooo Hoooo!!! Back from the dead!

An update based on two email responses:

From San Diego County Water Authority, 7/8/2015 -
Thank you for your interest in the San Vicente Reservoir.

The dam raise construction work is completed, but construction has continued at other locations including the new marina, and a replacement pipeline needed for the city of San Diego. The opening of the reservoir is dependent upon the water level. We understand that the city hopes to open the reservoir later this year. You might want to watch the city of San Diego’s website for information about the reopening of the reservoir, since the city will continue to operate San Vicente.

http://www.sandiego.gov/water/recrea...bulletin.shtml

We expect both the fishing and recreational enthusiasts will enjoy returning to San Vicente. It’s been a long wait, we realize. But the raising of San Vicente Dam and 152,000 acre-feet of additional water storage will provide a crucial buffer against future drought and interruptions in our imported water supply.

Thank you,

Ashley Jenkins
Public Affairs Representative



From City of San Diego Public Utilities, Water System Operations, City Lakes & Recreation, 7/16/2015 -
There is no estimated opening date at this time.

The water level is, by far, NOT the only thing needed for re-opening; there are a multitude of other factors involved before it will be ready.

Lori Felchlin
Word Processing Operator

A little bit more today:

The City might understand, of course, recreational water contact boaters eagerness given the state of El Capitan.

Andy


The response:

EVERYONE is eager for its re-opening, even us  I can’t wait to be able to post an opening date!

Lori Felchlin
Word Processing Operator

We are getting close...
https://sdfish.com/forums/t/san-v.150854/page-6

buying launch tickets on ticket master a month in advance. That seems very silly

You might think so, but if you aren't familiar with San Diego and this lake, you wouldn't understand how highly anticipated the re-opening of this lake is to the San Diego area. In the mid-90's this lake use to open at sunrise with 80 boats in line for entrance, most lining up the previous evening, with a 100 boat limit.

FYI - The lake is now 63ft from the new full pool height of 764ft. It has risen over 50ft. from the previous full pool of 650ft. and is rising almost 1ft a day. Can't wait to see new pictures of this lake and get on it late this winter or early spring.

what would prevent someone from buying tickets everyday and then scalping on stubhub or craigslist? Will the tickets be nontransferable? there's actually something to be said for the guy who gets to the ramp before sunrise...

Last I heard the rumor was the mayor took the monies that were to pay the employees of the lake and used them elsewhere. Seems like that article listed every excuse possible to why it was not opening. Hopefully they are all true.:confused:

There is no expected opening date. You will have to buy tickets on Ticketmaster.

There is going to be so many bass boats out there it will not even be funny.

It has been almost a month since that post on SD FISH, and still nothing.

All the people who met on this website and used to frequent the lake have all gone elsewhere for boating, like the Colorado River and Mexico.

It would be great if the lake ever opens, it will be good for boat dealers, wake shops, and the like for the fishing guys as well. :banghead:

2 more months! Time for a shorty wet suit, I guess.

http://sdfish.com/freshwater/san-vic...d-dock-cables/

Opening on September 22nd:

http://sdfish.com/freshwater/san-vic...ning-date-set/

Tyler, is it me or are you pissed at the water contact limits in place? No water contact only days and only 40 water contact boats per day?? Plus dodging 110 bass boats! What a crock of *****! I am thinking about calling the city tomorrow and asking Lori why the horrible bias towards fisherman now and historically with El Capitan.

I agree. I think it is ridiculous. I know it is going to busy out there with that many boats but with only 40 water contact boats, its going to be that much harder to get on the lake. The fisherman are going to go crazy when it first opens because that place has not been fished in about 8 years so we will probably avoid it when it first opens. I'm just anxious to see what the place looks like now that the water is raised. I used to go almost every Thursday and Friday back in '01 and '02 while I was in college and it was wonderful. I'm also curious about how the wind will be now that the water is higher. It could get blowing hard in the afternoon back in the day so I assume it will be worse now. I'm hoping they still offer the ski course area for rent like they used to as well...

I am going to buy tickets regardless. But only on Thurs/Friday. Saturdays are going to be a zoo for that place for a long time. I don't believe any of the navigational features will be changing. Not sure how that will work with both recreation and fishing on the lake at the same time at those volume levels. I am. Urious if the 5 mph zone next to the island will still be in play with the level raised 75ft. And I am not sure how they will handle wake surfing (low speed activities). One good thing about the 40 boat cap is potentially the chop. Water might be calmer with less boats constantly on the move. But I fear dodge boat will become a new water sport.

I spoke to Lori about this. They will continue to have the ski/wakeboard course.

A couple of things...

• Wasn't the previous boat limit 120? With all the extra surface area, it seems like an increase of only 30 boats (most of which are fishing boats) will definitely make it less crowded and provide better conditions. Obviously, the flipside to that is that more people will be turned away.
• I'm guessing wind will be a major issue. It would get windy before and now the water surface is even more exposed.
• You can check out a drone view of the lake at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CNBfDhxsuf8. It gives you a pretty good idea of what it looks like. The island is still there, but it's much smaller. However, I see at least one rock sticking out of the water that's going to cause some problems. I don't think there is a need for the 5 mph section next to the island. That's wide open now.
• I don't see the wake/slalom area blocked off in any way, so it will be interesting to see if they still sell passes to the finger of the lake. Way back when we got barrels from Pepsi (thanks Cliff Griffin) to create a wave attenuator to keep the wake/slalom area less choppy. There's nothing there now. And I don't see the dock out there that Shane Bonifay hit in Shaft.
• Wasn't Thursday a no fishing day before? Seems like that got flip-flopped on us. I guess it's no surprise given how heavily favored fishermen are.

I remember the boat limit between 90-100 boats. That was the norm for ~20 years that I was on the lake before it closed.

The cap is 40 recreational boats due to the lack of shoreline (this coming from Lori). Previously, there was a lot more shoreline where pleasure/recreational users would park their boat and effectively free up the middle of the lake. Since that is no longer the case, when they filed for their new permit, California cut their recreational/water contact limits to 40/day. This could change should the shoreline become defined over time, but changing water levels are bound to keep this from happening for several years.

Water conditions might be better, but obstacles will likely be worse, unless we are talking about Thurs/Fridays. September Thurs/Fridays will easily be the best days to hit the lake for water contact activities.

As for the island, that video was taken in December of last year. The water level is still much higher than that video.

Course reservations are FIRST COME, FIRST SERVE!

Previous schedule was Thurs-Sunday year round
May-Oct - Mixed rec Thurs & Friday, Water contact only Saturday/Sunday
Nov-Apr - Mixed rec Thurs & Friday, Fishing only Saturday/Sunday

Now it's mixed year round Thursday-Sunday, Fishing only on Monday. Water contact on Sunday only in the off-season.

I would have liked to have seen at least a water recreation only day on one of the weekend days with a boat cap closer to 80 boats, but it sounds like it is out of their hands. Maybe if enough of us get pissed we can change the schedule.

Yeah, that schedule is messed up. They should have at least a weekday and a weekend day for each sport year round. I actually don't care if fisherman are out there, but I'm sure the fishermen care if we are. I'd be okay with mixed used on all days.

I think the fees are pretty wacky too if I'm understanding them correctly. If I bring my wife and kids just to watch me wakeboard they have to pay $8 each? That's in addition to the $10 per person in my boat and $7 launch fee? WTF?

I called Lori on the fees. It is $7 for the boat launch, $5/youth, $10/adult. Passes are bought at the gate only as of now.

And the first day is sold out in four minutes! I tried to get a pass for all four days, but I must have started with Sunday and worked my way back and by the time I got to Thursday is was sold out. I have launch passes for Friday-Sunday though. Luckily, it only costs $4 for them to mail that piece of paper to me. What a ripoff!

Buddy and I got both Saturday and Sunday passes for opening weekend. I will report back after we go.

I got a pass for Friday. How are you working around the 1 ticket/family/week? Using different/friends addresses?

Okay, so once you get your ticket (that cracks me up) and get out there on the water, is this gonna be like a bunch of starving bums trying to beat each other up for a Ritz cracker when it comes to finding good water? I'll go out on a limb here and predict there may be a few WW threads about how this person or that person doesn't know boat etiquette on San V.

My buddy had no problem buying a ticket for Saturday and for Sunday on the same account.

Yeah, I didn't see any one ticker per family per week rule. I just bought!

I had a meeting last night and couldn't be on-line. Anyone want to sell one of those Saturday or Sunday passes, let me know.

I just put a reminder on my calendar every Thursday at 6:45 to be ready for ticket purchase.

If anyone is interested I have tickets for Saturday and Sunday but work calls and unfortunately I can't go. Send me an email to mrt111@gmail.com I'm in San Marcos.

I will be out there tomorrow. Arriving later, around mid-afternoon to avoid the morning zoo at the launch ramp. Most likely will be there just about every weekend until Hollowed weekend. Tomorrow should be fun.

I've got launch tickets for Friday and Saturday that I won't be using if anybody wants them.

What about Sunday David Williams? Is our date not happening now?

Went out today around 1pm. The usual lanes of the lake were completely quiet. They no longer are using bi-directional flow of traffic. Just 2 large circles of traffic which works out really well with only 40 boats. Of course none of the fisherman were obeying slow and no wake areas. Typical. Wind picked up around 3:30 but otherwise it was eerie quiet for water contact boats.

Looking for a ticket for Friday, 10/14 if anybody has one and isn't using. Just missed before this date sold out.

This is about the most depressing thread I have ever read. $50-100 worth of friggin tickets to go out on a sold out lake? No thanks. I'm gonna cry when this becomes common place.