Caution Recommended in Canyon Lake Coves

Photo courtesy of Dennis Bickers of the Canyon Lake Lodge

With California’s current drought conditions and the onset of higher temperatures water quality in local lakes is of high concern. The drought has contributed to lowered lake levels, creating a nutrient rich environment with low oxygen levels, which often time times results in algae blooms and fish kills

The Lake Elsinore & San Jacinto Watersheds Authority, which monitors water quality levels of Canyon Lake, recently conducted regular water quality testing in various parts of the lake. Testing results from the main body of the lake, where water is constantly moving, proved to be safe for body contact. Sampling from the cove areas, where water is stagnant, came back as a potential danger due to algae blooms.

Recreational activities remain safe in the main body of the lake, however caution is recommended in the cove areas and swimming is not recommended in these areas. With Canyon Lake’s history of algae blooms, this concern is not uncommon, but it is advised that extreme caution be taken in the cove areas specifically.

LESJWA is a joint powers authority entrusted with $15 million in state and local funds to improve water quality and wildlife habitats in Lake Elsinore, Canyon Lake and the surrounding San Jacinto watershed. For more information about LESJWA, please visit www.mywatersheds.com.

• --News release from Lake Elsinore & San Jacinto Watersheds Authority,