San Vicente Reservoir holds its grand opening to the public

The County Water Authority held a grand reopening of San Vicente Reservoir on Sept. 21. San Diego Mayor Kevin Faulkner told the happy crowd about the ambitious project. Closed down for the last eight years while the dam was raised, the recreational improvements were built and water imported in to fill the lake. The raising of the dam made it 117 feet taller, and able to hold twice the amount of water for emergency storage in case of earthquake or other disaster. It now has a six-month supply of water. This was the largest damn raise project in the whole United States.

The County Water Authority held a grand reopening of San Vicente Reservoir on Sept. 21. San Diego Mayor Kevin Faulkner told the happy crowd about the ambitious project. Closed down for the last eight years while the dam was raised, the recreational improvements were built and water imported in to fill the lake. The raising of the dam made it 117 feet taller, and able to hold twice the amount of water for emergency storage in case of earthquake or other disaster. It now has a six-month supply of water. This was the largest damn raise project in the whole United States.

Faulkner welcomed special guests, Sailors and Marines from Camp Pendelton. Richard Petty was leading the team of Volunteer Veterans who were testing the waters. This team called Veterans On Water is a part of the Wounded Warriors Project. They had arrived at the crack of dawn to be the first anglers to fish legally in this lake for the last eight years. Their fishing boats were arriving back at the dock just in time for the Mayor and press and TV cameras to see their prized fish…huge large mouth bass…lots of them. The Warriors were all smiles.

Mark Weston, the former executive director of Helix Water District, but now with the County Water Authority, said they built a new and improved Marina for better recreational uses for the public to enjoy. A 900-foot long boat ramp that has six lanes for faster boat launching, it is very steep. Shade structures for picnicking, BBQs, a store for buying supplies, walking trails with historic interpretive photos, restrooms and parking for 300 vehicles.

General boating and fishing permits are needed to enter the reservoir. It will be open Thursday through Monday. Mondays will be for fishing only. Wakeboarding and water skiing can be done Thursday through Sunday. Permits are available through Ticketmaster. They are $8 to fish and $7 for boat launches, plus Ticketmaster processing fees. Kayaks, fishing boats and pontoon boats will be for rent also. Only 150 boats will be allowed on the lake at a time.