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The Water Lantern Festival comes to Santee Lakes Recreational Preserve in December. Photo: Santee Lakes Recreational Preserve

2025 Community Holiday Activities at San Diego Reservoirs

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San Diego County’s most popular reservoir recreation areas offer special holiday season events through 2025 and host winter activities during the region’s cooler months.

Holiday Spirit at Santee Lakes

Santee Lakes Recreation Preserve hosts the Winter Lantern Festival on Saturday, December 13 from 2 p.m. to 7 p.m. The family-friendly festival encourages people to reflect on the year and set intentions for the year ahead by releasing personalized lanterns onto the lake. Enjoy food trucks, live music, vendors, a scavenger hunt, and the lantern launch.

The Festival requires an entry ticket with multiple options for families, date nights, and VIP experiences. Purchase in advance here to receive a discount price.

A full list of additional holiday events, including Saturday Paint and Sip events, Gingerbread House making, and visits with Santa, is listed on the Santee Lakes website.

Take advantage of San Diego County’s mild weather with a stay at Santee Lakes Recreation Preserve. Campground space is available. A three-night minimum stay is required, but you won’t want to leave.

Originally opened to the public in 1961, today, Santee Lakes Recreation Preserve is a nationally recognized Park of the Year, hosting over 760,000 visitors annually. The 190-acre park’s lakes are stocked with fish year-round. Other amenities include camping, cabin rentals, fishing, boating, playgrounds, walking trails, facility rentals, special events, and approximately 230 bird species.

Trout Fishing Season Opens for San Diego Fishing Enthusiasts

This Lake Jennings angler shows off his catch in mid-November: one 3.74 pound trout and one 3.04 pound trout, both caught at Sentry Cove. Photo: Lake Jennings/Instagram holiday

This Lake Jennings angler shows off his catch in mid-November: one 3.74 pound trout and one 3.04 pound trout, both caught at Sentry Cove. Photo: Lake Jennings/Instagram

Recreational fishing surged in popularity during the pandemic, and it hasn’t slowed down since then. San Diego County is known for its inland freshwater fishing at its lakes and reservoirs, and its mild winter weather adds to its appeal. Fishing permits are required, so check with staff at each location.

As reported by the City of Poway, the number of fishing permits sold at Lake Poway over the last few years continues to increase. One of the most anticipated days of the year at the lake is trout season opening day.

Lake Poway starts stocking trout on Friday, December 5, and will stock 19,000 pounds of trout through April 16, up 500 pounds from last year.

The fishing experts at Lake Poway share a few tips on its webpage, and it will post monthly fishing reports as the winter season continues.

Starting the week of November 30, trout stocking will take place at Lake Wohlford, Lake Murray, and Chollas Park Lake every two weeks until through April.

Lake Jennings Open For Winter Fun

Lake Jennings opened its annual trout fishing season on November 15 and is open daily except on Christmas Day from 6 a.m. to 5 p.m. through January 7. The lake will be restocked regularly every two weeks through April 27 with a total of 19,000 pounds of trout.

New moon fishing takes place on December 20 at Lake Jennings. Photo: Lake Jennings/Instagram

New moon fishing takes place on December 20 at Lake Jennings. Photo: Lake Jennings/Instagram

The lake will be open for its New Moon Fishing event on Saturday, December 20, from 6 a.m. to 10 p.m. Visitors can enjoy fishing, boating, hiking, picnicking, sunset watching, stargazing, and firepit rentals. Get more information about activities at https://lakejennings.org/

Lake Jennings is an exceptional destination during the winter months for the serious and casual wildlife viewer and photographer. The rolling hills, the endless lake, the coastal sage, and the riparian areas provide a diverse habitat in a small area. Common sightings include deer, fox, and osprey. Bird watchers are drawn to Lake Jennings for its rich variety of bird species.

Sweetwater Reservoir Winter Birdwatching

Vermillion Flycatcher at Sweetwater Reservoir in December 2024. Photo: RodgerBPhoto/Instagram holiday

Vermillion Flycatcher at Sweetwater Reservoir in December 2024. Photo: RodgerBPhoto/Instagram

The range of habitats at the Sweetwater and Loveland Reservoirs supports diverse bird populations. Their proximity to the Pacific Flyway means many migratory species are passing through on their way to warmer areas, making the winter months an ideal time to enjoy birdwatching and wildlife walks to work off holiday meals.

Over 250 bird species have been documented at the Sweetwater Reservoir. Sweetwater Authority welcomes birds and other wildlife as part of its stewardship of the natural watershed, which helps keep reservoir water quality high and supports the balance of human and environmental needs.

View birds from public access areas at the Sweetwater Reservoir or Loveland Reservoir. Bring binoculars, a bird guide, and a notebook, or just enjoy the view.

 

 

(L to R) Elfin Forest Recreational Reserve Park Supervisor Jeff Anderson, volunteer Keith Kelly, rangers Jonathan Zeller and Shawnn Schaub, volunteers Walter Haslop and Pure Excellence winner Mike Dzurko, Escondido Creek Conservancy Land Manager Donna Leon, and volunteers Rich Riemer, Debbie Matsumoto, and Marvin Valverde at Elfin Forest Interpretive Center Honoring Susan J. Varty. Photo: Olivenhain Municipal Water District

OMWD Announces 2025 Pure Excellence Awards

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The Olivenhain Municipal Water District (OMWD) recognized the winners of its 2025 Pure Excellence Awards at its November board meeting. The winners were honored for their positive impact on OMWD and local communities.

OMWD Board President Matthew Hahn said, “We are grateful for the efforts of our award winners for their partnership in delivering excellent service to OMWD customers and our communities.”

2025 Pure Excellence AwardS winners: Front row (L to R): Olivenhain Fire Safe Council board members Jennifer Bishop, Jeff Dasch, and Sara Lifton; Beverly Weber, and Cass Arrieta President Wes Wise. Back row (L to R): OFSC board member Hector Paredes, Rancho Santa Fe Fire Protection District Fire Chief McQueade, OMWD President Matthew Hahn, and RSFFPD President James Ashcraft. Photo: Olivenhain Municipal Water District

2025 Pure Excellence Awards winners: Front row (L to R): Olivenhain Fire Safe Council board members Jennifer Bishop, Jeff Dasch, and Sara Lifton; Beverly Weber, and Cass Arrieta President Wes Wise. Back row (L to R): OFSC board member Hector Paredes, Rancho Santa Fe Fire Protection District Fire Chief McQueade, OMWD President Matthew Hahn, and RSFFPD President James Ashcraft. Photo: Olivenhain Municipal Water District

2025 Pure Excellence Awards Winners

Businesses of the Year: B Weber Consulting and Cass Arrieta. For providing exceptional customer service and responsiveness during urgent situations.

Nonprofit of the Year: Olivenhain Fire Safe Council. OFSC has shared wildfire prevention and preparedness information through its “Neighborhood Ambassador” program and at community events, such as OMWD’s open house and emergency preparedness event.

Teresa Chase10:54 AM (3 minutes ago) to me 😊 Representatives of the Rancho Santa Fe Fire Protection District speak with community members about fire safety at OMWD’s emergency preparedness open house in September.

Representatives of the Rancho Santa Fe Fire Protection District speak with community members about fire safety at OMWD’s emergency preparedness open house in September.

Community Outreach of the Year: Rancho Santa Fe Fire Protection District. OMWD and RSFFPD collaborated on many media events, press releases, state legislation, and joint water- and fire-wise landscape workshops and emergency preparedness community meetings in 2025.

Volunteer of the Year: Mike Dzurko. Dzurko welcomes visitors at the interpretive center at OMWD’s Elfin Forest Recreational Reserve, familiarizing the public with the Reserve and its natural habitat. He has volunteered for 84 shifts over the past 24 months.

NOTE: The Coast News Group named the Olivenhain Municipal Water District’s Elfin Forest Recreational Reserve its “Best Place to Volunteer” in its 2025 Best of North County Awards after an online vote that included 18 other candidates.

Water Authority Supports Farm Economy with Rate Discount

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The San Diego County Water Authority Board of Directors today voted unanimously to renew the Permanent Special Agriculture Water Rate (PSAWR) Program, ensuring discounted water remains available to the region’s farmers in the coming years.

The extension of the program, which began in its current form in 2020, was backed by the San Diego County Farm Bureau. San Diego County is home to more farms than any county in the nation, making the discount water rates program vital to the continued success of the local agricultural sector. More than 1,000 farmers across 11 retail water agencies are enrolled in the program.

“The Water Authority has worked closely with San Diego’s ag community to sustain a program that is valuable to farmers while also benefitting the entire region,” said Water Authority General Manager Dan Denham. “This is a win for our region’s economy and residents, supporting jobs and a way of life that is part of San Diego County’s identity.”

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Farmer watering crops in San Diego County. Photo: Water Authority

PSAWR was designed to provide qualified agricultural customers the benefit of discounted water in exchange for an interruptible, lower level of service during times of water supply shortages or emergencies. The program is valuable to non-farm customers because it helps maintain water sales and spreads fixed costs over larger volumes of water that otherwise would be paid by non-farm customers.

PSAWR rates were already in place for 2026. Today’s action by the Water Authority Board creates a framework for extending the program in 2027.

“The Authority has long been – and clearly remains – a dedicated supporter of the region’s 5,000 farms and farmers,” San Diego County Farm Bureau President Jimmy Ukegawa said in a Nov. 4 letter to Water Authority Board Chair Nick Serrano urging the renewal of the ag rate program. “The Farm Bureau sincerely appreciates the time, effort, and thoughtful attention the Board and staff have devoted to this critical issue.”

Debby Dunn’s Fab 4: A look Inside SDCWA’s New Water-Smart Garden

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The San Diego County Water Authority recently completed a redesign of its landscape at its Kearny Mesa headquarters to promote native vegetation. Originally laid out in 2008, the garden received an upgrade in 2017 and now, 8 years later, has gotten another major update. Spearheading the project was the Water Authority’s Senior Water Resource Specialist, Debby Dunn, who has over two decades in water conservation and sustainable landscapes. Drawing on her expertise, Debby selected a vibrant array of California native and other colorful, water-wise plants. Below, she shares her Fab 4 picks featured in the new garden.  These beauties, along with the plants on the Nifty 50 and Happy 100 plant lists, are wonderful options for residential and commercial landscapes across Southern California. Here are four great additions for your garden:

 

Debby Dunn, Sr. Water Resources Specialist for the San Diego County Water Authority and Master Gardener.

 

Debby’s Fab 4 Plant Recommendations

Common Name: Cleveland Sage

Botanical Name:  Salvia clevelandii

Cleveland Sage

An evergreen, California native shrub that forms a dense, upright mound. Gray-green leaves are soft, quilted, and delightfully fragrant. Upright stalks carry tiered whorls of two-lipped flowers in violet-blue, which make fabulous cut flowers for bouquets or sachets. Heaviest blooms in spring and fall. The flowers and seeds attract birds, bees, butterflies and hummingbirds.

While some say it grows 3’-5’ high and wide, garden proof shows it can get 4’-6’ high and wide. Only trim it back one-third at a time or risk losing the beautiful plant.

Common Name: Superb Grevillea

Botanical Name:  Grevillea ‘Superb’

 

A fast-growing shrub with a plethora of large, spidery-shaped flowers that go from red to orange to yellow.   The green leaves are large in profile but finely dissected and fern-like. Given the space, Australian native can get up to 5’ – 6’ hide by 6’ – 8’ wide.  Superb offers year-round delightful flowers that invite bees and create a hummingbird party.   Debby says, “no garden is complete without a Grevillea Superb!”

Plant in well-drained soil in full or part sun and irrigate occasionally as this plant is tolerant of extended dry periods once established. Do not fertilize this plant, just talk to it and say, “Hey Beautiful!”  This will cause Superb to bloom more and provide you with flowers that create a beautiful bouquet.


Common Name: Toyon

Botanical Name:  Heteromeles arbutifolia

Toyon

 

Toyon, also known as Christmas Berry, is an evergreen, native shrub or tree.  They do fine in sun or shade and tolerate most soil types.  In the summer, Toyon produces fragrant, white flowers and in the winter red berries the birds like to eat.  Given the space, it can grow 8’ to 12’ high and wide.  It can be pruned to a shrub or tree shape.  Once established, this is one of the Sturdy 30 plants listed on the Happy 100 plant list.

Common Name: Arabian Lilac

Botanical Name:  Vitex trifolia ‘Purpuirea’

Arabian Lilac

A fast-growing evergreen shrub or small tree growing 5 to 10 feet high by 10 to 15 feet wide with distinctively colored leaves that are green on top and curl, highlighting their purple underside.  This full sun plant produces small lavender-colored flowers.  Vitex is good for slopes, screening or hedging, and attracts butterflies and bees. Shape when young to fit its environment.

More Resources for Upgrading Your Garden

Whether you’re planning a full landscape redo or just looking to add a few new plants to your backyard, Debby’s Fab 4 are a great place to start. Not only are they beautiful, but also low-maintenance and built to thrive in our Southern California climate. With smart plant choices, it’s easier than one may think to create a garden that is both welcoming and water conscious. For more resources on creating a landscape of your own go to www.sdcwa.org/your-water/conservation

 

 

 

New water intake and discharge facilities in and adjacent to Agua Hedionda Lagoon at the Claude “Bud” Lewis Carlsbad Desalination Plant.

Ratepayers Save $29 Million on Desalination Plant Upgrades

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San Diego County ratepayers saved $29 million on newly completed state-mandated upgrades at the Claude “Bud” Lewis Carlsbad Desalination Plant, and some of the savings will lower the cost of water from the plant for years to come. The project benefitted from $19 million in federal grant funds and more than $10 million in savings on construction.

“This project does three vital things – it protects our drought-proof water supply, it protects the environment, and it protects ratepayers,” Water Authority Board Chair Nick Serrano said. “Every time we achieve savings like this, we’re living up to our responsibility to deliver safe, reliable water in the most cost-effective way possible for San Diegans.”

Energy demand-Flex Alert-desalination-pumped storage

The plant also uses energy recovery devices that save an estimated 146 million kilowatt-hours and reduce carbon emissions by 42,000 metric tons every year. Photo: San Diego County Water Authority

The multi-phase project included the installation of new water intake and discharge facilities in and adjacent to Agua Hedionda Lagoon to comply with the California Ocean Plan Amendment. The total project cost was approximately $286 million, and work concluded with more than $10 million left in the account established at the beginning of the project to cover potential unforeseen conditions during construction.

This week, the project also received recognition from Engineering News-Record (ENR) West, a go-to publication for large-scale infrastructure, when it was named the top water/environment project in the annual West Best Projects awards. ENR West noted the project was “completed within budget and on schedule … (and) the new intake and discharge facility’s dual-flow screens improve sustainability, keep the lagoon productive and comply with the California Ocean Plan Amendment.”

The Water Authority will apply project savings to reduce near-term water purchase costs and to reduce the price of water from the desal plant starting in July 2026. Since its completion in December 2015, the facility has produced more than 132 billion gallons of high-quality water and helped the region avoid water-use cutbacks during two major droughts.

1000th Community Leader Graduates from Citizens Water Academy

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The San Diego County Water Authority’s award-winning Citizens Water Academy celebrated the graduation of its 1,000th community leader last Saturday at the conclusion of this year’s fall class.

During the popular and long-running academy program, civic leaders learn about how the Water Authority has built the safe and reliable water supply San Diego County depends on over the past 80 years. Additionally, attendees visit vital Water Authority sites like the Olivenhain Dam, hear from staff about a wide range of topics from physical infrastructure that makes the system work to the future of the Colorado River, all while building relationships with staff and each other.

“The Citizens Water Academy is a valuable and effective way to help community leaders better understand how the Water Authority manages our most important natural resource,” Board Chair Nick Serrano said. “With more than 1,000 graduates, this academy has helped increase transparency about who we are and what we do to guarantee water reliability and security for the region.”

The Citizens Water Academy launched in fall 2014 and produced a diverse inaugural class of 49 graduates. Over the years, 99 percent of participants said they would recommend the Water Academy to a colleague.

Participants said the class series helped them understand the physical movement of water into and around the region, the importance of the region’s water supply diversification strategy, how large-scale water projects are built and maintained, and how water managers are preparing for future water supply needs.

The Fall 2025 Citizens Water Academy class.

The Fall 2025 Citizens Water Academy class.

The Water Authority typically hosts two academies of roughly 50 participants each year. This year’s class included representatives from several state and local elected offices, leading companies in the region, and an array of non-profits, universities and public agencies.

In addition, the Water Authority maintains an active network of Water Academy graduates who participate in specialized tours, lectures and other events, like the recent “Future of the Colorado River” panel held in conjunction with the San Diego Global Affairs Council and the Burnam Center for Community Advancement. They also stay connected through an alumni newsletter – part of the Water Authority’s commitment to supporting engaged and knowledgeable regional leaders.

The Water Authority will host its next academy in the spring of 2026. For more information about how to take part in this unique experience, visit www.sdcwa.org/in-the-community/citizens-water-academy/.

Equipment displays and hands-on family fun are part of the Padre Dam Municipal Water District Open House on Saturday, October 18. Photo: Padre Dam Municipal Water District

Padre Dam Municipal Water District Hosts Open House on October 18

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The Padre Dam Municipal Water District is celebrating 70 years of service to the community with a public open house on Saturday, October 18.

The fun-filled, educational open house will provide guests a behind-the-scenes look at the equipment, facilities and staff that provide water to the community. Everyone is welcome to attend, and there is no requirement to RSVP.

If you would like to receive Open House reminder emails, click here to sign up.

The open house takes place at the Padre Dam MWD headquarters, 9120 Carlton Oaks Drive in Santee from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m.

Open House Features Family Fun Activities and Equipment Demos

The Padre Dam Municipal Water District Open House offers displays about its operations with plenty of hands-on experiences. Photo: Padre Dam Municipal Water District

The Padre Dam Municipal Water District Open House features displays about its operations, along with numerous hands-on experiences. Photo: Padre Dam Municipal Water District

The entire family will enjoy hands-on activities, equipment demonstrations, games, and educational booths. Guests can pose for a photo at the photo booth, plant and take home native seeds, create their own luxury water, and snack on complimentary shaved ice.

Attendees will enjoy dozens of attractions including:

  • A touch-a-truck experience and photos
  • Games like bean bag toss and fishing for candy
  • Equipment demonstrations and models
  • Trying their hand at fixing a leak
  • Learning about our systems from Padre Dam staff

Significant Place In Regional Water History

The Old Mission Dam is now part of Mission Trails Regional Park. Photo: Mission Trails Regional Park

The Old Mission Dam is now part of Mission Trails Regional Park. Photo: Mission Trails Regional Park

The Padre Dam Municipal Water District is named for the Old Mission Dam. The dam, built around 1807, is a historic water landmark located nearby in Mission Trails Regional Park. The 12-foot-high, 220-foot-long dam with a five-mile-long flume was California’s first major irrigation project. It provided water to the Mission San Diego de Alcala and its 1,500 people living in a drought-prone climate.

The District was formed in 1976 when voters approved the merger of Santee County Water District with Rio San Diego Municipal Water District, which were originally established in the mid-1950s to serve the region’s growth. The new district took on its current name, the Padre Dam Municipal Water District.

In 1959, the Santee County Water District embarked on a pioneering project for its time of recycling wastewater for irrigation and commercial use. The treatment process became a chain of seven recycled water lakes. Boating and fishing were authorized in 1961, and Santee Lakes opened to the public for recreation.

The recycled water project and Santee Lakes received worldwide attention and continue to attract visitors in the field of water reuse and reclamation.

Today, Padre Dam Municipal Water District provides potable water, wastewater collection and treatment, water recycling, and recreational facilities to Santee, Blossom Valley, Dehesa, Crest, Alpine, Harbison Canyon, Flinn Springs, and a small portion of Lakeside and El Cajon.

 

Water Leaders Discuss the Future of the Colorado River

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The San Diego County Water Authority and partners convened an expert panel conversation on the future of the Colorado River for a packed room of Citizen Water Academy alumni and special guests on Sept. 5. The conversation, co-sponsored by the San Diego Global Affairs Council and the Burnam Center for Community Advancement and titled “The Future of the Colorado River”, comes as the deadline for negotiations on new river allocations approaches at the end of this year.

Panelists for the event also included Sally Spener, Foreign Affairs Officer with the International Boundary and Water Commission; Dan Denham, General Manager with the San Diego County Water Authority; Tina Shields, Water Department Manager with the Imperial Irrigation District; Jordan Joaquin Member and Past President of the Quechan Indian Tribe of Fort Yuma Indian Reservation and Carlos A. de la Parra, Founding Partner, with Centro Luken de Estrategias en Agua y Medio Ambiente in Tijuana.

Panelists at the “Future of the Colorado River” event put on by the San Diego County Water Authority.

Water Authority Board Chair Nick Serrano kicked things off, recognizing both the tenuous conditions on the ground but also the opportunities ahead.

“This is truly an extraordinary, unprecedented time for so many reasons,” Serrano said. “I believe history will look back on this moment as one where Southern California came together to secure the future of the Colorado River — not just for ourselves but for all those who depend on it.”

The speakers weighed in on the past, present and future of the Colorado River – with an emphasis on ongoing negotiations among the basin states and other interest groups on how to share this precious resource and what that holds for the 40 million residents of seven states, two countries and tribal nations who depend on this lifeline.

From the impacts of climate change, the perspective of the tribes and Mexico and a deep discussion on where things stand with negotiations on water use from the Colorado River, this lively conversation was both a cautionary conversation about the obstacles ahead but also included notes of optimism about where things are headed.

“I do think there is hope and I think that hope comes from the sense of urgency we all have to embrace,” said Denham.

Work being done on the First Aqueduct.

Traffic Impacts Planned for Two Escondido Sites During Aqueduct Upgrades

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Starting the second week of August, pedestrians and motorists in Escondido will notice traffic impacts due to construction work on Water Authority facilities as part of the Southern First Aqueduct Facilities Improvement project.

Beginning on August 11, work will take place on Bear Valley Parkway just north of San Pasqual Valley Road where a traffic lane and a bike lane on Bear Valley Parkway will be closed, Monday through Friday from 7 a.m. to 5 p.m.

At a second site on Harding Street, just north of the intersection with East Valley Parkway, traffic will be rerouted in the evenings starting on Aug. 18. The southbound traffic lane, left turn lane, and #1 northbound lane will be closed for nighttime construction from 5 pm to 7 am, Monday through Friday.

Signs and flag crews will help direct traffic around the work areas. Construction activities will include excavation, saw cutting, welding, concrete placement, backfill and paving. Work crews will be driving heavy construction equipment with required backup alarms

A map of the worksite on Bear Valley Parkway.

Work at each of these locations is estimated to last four weeks.

This is part of the Water Authority’s work to upgrade the historic First Aqueduct and ensure continued delivery of safe and reliable water supplies for the region.

The Southern First Aqueduct project stretches 21 miles starting north of Escondido and east of Interstate 15 and continuing south to Slaughterhouse Canyon on the west and ending at the San Vicente Reservoir in Lakeside. Along the way, the work crosses the communities of Escondido, Poway, Rancho Bernardo and parts of unincorporated San Diego County.

The First Aqueduct has been in service over 70 years and serves more than 2 million people countywide. Work around the region to improve the First Aqueduct is expected to continue through summer 2026 with upgrades to 99 structures connected to two massive water pipelines.

The Water Authority is coordinating closely with its member agencies to minimize impacts to residents and businesses and ensure there is no interruption to water delivery.

For more information about the Southern First Aqueduct Facilities Improvement Project, including an interactive map where viewers can zoom in to view work areas, visit www.sdcwa.org/first-aqueduct.  For questions or comments, call (877) 682-9230 ext. 7004 or send email to .

The winning 2025 OMWD landscape project features native plants and is both drought tolerant and fire resistant. Photo: Olivenhain Municipal Water District

Encinitas Resident Wins OMWD 2025 Landscape Contest

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Encinitas resident Ramona Copley’s landscape makeover project was selected by the Olivenhain Municipal Water District as the 2025 winner of the annual WaterSmart Landscape Contest. The OMWD board honored Copley at its June board meeting.

Salvias provide plenty of color in the winning landscape design. Photo: Olivenhain Municipal Water District

Salvias provide plenty of color in the winning landscape design. Photo: Olivenhain Municipal Water District

“To reduce our water use, my husband and I wanted to transform our yard of trees and grass into a low-water-use garden,” said Copley about the motivation behind their project.

Design Is Drought-Tolerant and Fire-Resistant

The dry creek bed is a major feature in the new landscape design. Photo: Olivenhain Municipal Water District

The dry creek bed is a major feature in the new landscape design. Photo: Olivenhain Municipal Water District

Copley’s landscape design features a dry creek bed, drip irrigation using a smart controller, blue fescue grass, and a variety of colorful plants, including orange kangaroo paw, purple salvia, and red autumn sage. The garden features several plants native to our region that are both drought-tolerant and fire-resistant, such as California lilac, white rockrose, and Cleveland sage.

“Drought-tolerant landscaping helps conserve San Diego’s water supply,” said OMWD board secretary Christy Guerin. “Mrs. Copley’s landscape offers a good example of an appealing design, climate-appropriate plant selection, and water-efficient irrigation.”

Plant choices are both drought tolerant and fire resistant. Photo: Olivenhain Municipal Water District Encinitas resident

Plant choices are both drought-tolerant and fire-resistant. Photo: Olivenhain Municipal Water District

“We receive many compliments,” said Copley, “and I enjoy taking in the view as I sit in the front yard.

“I am proud to say that my water bill has not changed since we installed the garden. The bill is the same as it was when the yard contained only dirt, while we planned the project and found a landscaper for the design I had in mind,” added Copley.

Countywide Contest Inspires Homeowners

Award-winning landscape projects offer inspiration to other homeowners pursuing their own landscape makeovers. Photo: Olivenhain Municipal Water District Encinitas resident

Award-winning landscape projects offer inspiration to other homeowners pursuing their own landscape makeovers. Photo: Olivenhain Municipal Water District

Since 2006, the county-wide contest has encouraged residential water agency customers to showcase their water-wise landscapes. OMWD is one of 12 water agencies participating in the contest. Each agency selects a winning landscape.

Winners selected by San Diego County Water Authority member agencies throughout the county, and a wide range of landscape resources are available at www.landscapecontest.com.