Tag Archive for: Loveland Reservoir

The Santee Lakes holiday light show "Lights at the Lake" moves to a new location at the campgrounds for 2024. Photo: San Diego Convention & Visitors Bureau holiday activities

San Diego Reservoirs Offer Community Holiday Activities

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San Diego County’s most popular reservoir recreation areas offer special holiday season events through 2024 and host winter activities during the region’s cooler months.

Holiday Spirit at Santee Lakes

“Lights at the Lake” at the Santee Lakes Recreation Preserve features 100,000 lights and three dozen displays nightly through December 31. Photo: Santee Lakes Recreation Preserve holiday activities

“Lights at the Lake” at the Santee Lakes Recreation Preserve features 100,000 lights and three dozen displays nightly through December 31. Photo: Santee Lakes Recreation Preserve

Enjoy San Diego County’s mild weather and spend Thanksgiving at Santee Lakes Recreation Preserve. Campground space is available. A three-night minimum stay is required, but you won’t want to leave.

Santee Lakes hosts its annual “Lights at the Lake” drive-through holiday show from Sunday, December 1, to December 31. The show will be moved to the Campground in 2024 for a brilliant camping experience.

Visitors will enjoy three dozen beautiful displays with over 100,000 lights to make holidays bright. You can walk through the tunnel of lights or use a golf cart. Hours are 5 p.m. through 8 p.m. (closed Christmas Eve and Christmas Day). You must buy tickets in advance.  More information about Lights at the Lake here.

A full list of additional holiday events including Christmas cookie making, crafts, and holiday movies plus visits with Santa are listed on the Santee Lakes website.

For the third year in a row, Santee Lakes Recreation Preserve was nationally recognized by the Outdoor Hospitality Industry (formerly ARVC) as its large/mega park Plan-it Green Park of the Year for its environmentally friendly practices across all areas of park operations and its commitment to sustainability.

Originally opened to the public in 1961, today, Santee Lakes Recreation Preserve hosts 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.

Lake Jennings Open For Winter Fun

Lake Jennings hosts a holiday "Gratitude Walk" to benefit the San Diego Food Bank. holiday activities

Lake Jennings hosts a holiday “Gratitude Walk” to benefit the San Diego Food Bank.

Share your Thanksgiving blessings and walk off the pumpkin pie at the Lake Jennings Gobble and Go Gratitude Walk. Walk the five-mile plus perimeter loop during the lake’s operating hours on November 25, 26, and 27. Bring a food item for donation to the San Diego Food Bank, and your day-use entry fee will be waived. Check this list of the most desired food donations. Please, no glass jars or homemade items.

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 from November 25 through April 14 with 19,000 pounds of trout.

The lake will be open for its New Moon Fishing event on Saturday, November 30, and Saturday, December 28, from 6 a.m. to 10 p.m. Visitors can enjoy fishing, boating, hiking, picnicking, sunset watching, star gazing, and firepit rentals. Get more information about activities at https://lakejennings.org/

Lake Jennings is an exceptional destination during winter months for serious and casual wildlife viewers and photographers.

Sweetwater Reservoir Birdwatching in Winter Season

Look for the greater white-fronted goose at Sweetwater Reservoir You may remember a greater white-fronted goose that landed on the field during a San Diego Padres playoff game in 2023. These birds breed in Alaska and Canada before making their way south toward Mexico for the winter. Photo: Kathy Buscher

Look for the greater white-fronted goose at Sweetwater Reservoir. You may remember a greater white-fronted goose that landed on the field during a San Diego Padres playoff game in 2023. These birds breed in Alaska and Canada before heading south toward Mexico for the winter. Photo: Kathy Buscher

The range of habitats at the Sweetwater and Loveland Reservoirs supports diverse bird populations. Their proximity to the Pacific Flyway means many migratory species pass through on their way to warmer areas, making the winter months ideal for birdwatching and wildlife walks to burn 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.

CalFIRE firefighting helicopter flies over Loveland Reservoir. Photo: Sweetwater Authority

Loveland Reservoir Serves As Vital Resource in Fighting Recent Wildfire

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Earlier this week, a fire broke out near Sweetwater Authority’s (Authority) Loveland Reservoir in Alpine, California. Authority staff swiftly responded to assist emergency services with access and logistics in their effort to fight the wind-driven fire, which burned approximately 18 acres before being contained.

Loveland Reservoir, an important drinking water resource for Authority customers, served as a vital asset in providing water to firefighters during a recent wildfire response. Approximately 32,000 gallons of water were lifted from the near-full reservoir by San Diego Gas & Electric and San Diego Sheriff helicopters to aid with fire suppression.

California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection (CalFIRE) water trucks also used the reservoir property’s on-site fire hydrant for their fire-fighting efforts.

During the incident, the reservoir property was used as a staging area and incident command center.

“This shared effort between Sweetwater Authority and emergency services demonstrates the importance of community partnership in times of crisis,” said Board Chair Paulina Martinez-Perez. “We greatly appreciate the dedication and bravery of first responders and are proud to have been able to assist them during this incident.”

Loveland Reservoir is once again open for recreational activities. Photo: Sweetwater Authority

Loveland Reservoir is once again open for recreational activities. Photo: Sweetwater Authority

During the incident, the Authority temporarily closed its Loveland Recreation Program to protect the safety of those in the area. The program has since reopened to normal hours. View more information at www.sweetwater.org/recreation.

 

Loveland Reservoir Trail Money Eyed For Bridge, Parking Lot, Fish Stocking, More Water

/in , , /by /San Diego Readerby Sheila Pell

Sweetwater Authority officials and Loveland lake users are discussing what to do with a $750,000 state grant the agency has received for trail improvements. In the first workshop this month, which a late change of venue from Alpine to Chula Vista didn’t prevent a large crowd from attending, ideas flew about not only maintaining trails — but water levels. While the funding is earmarked for trails and their access, for many Loveland visitors (in East County, just south of Alpine), trails are for getting to fishing spots.

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This Endangered Toad is Experiencing a Resurgence Thanks to Storms Like Hilary and a San Diego Water District

/in , , /by /NBC 7 by Joe Little

An endangered toad in San Diego’s East County is having a bit of a resurgence thanks to a couple of storms like Hilary and a large hole in the bottom of a dam.

“This is perfect habitat for the arroyo toad,” said Sweetwater Authority Biologist Pete Famolaro while standing in a Sweetwater River watershed near the Loveland Reservoir.

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Loveland Reservoir Expected to Spill Early Next Week Due to Tropical Storm, Flooding in Area Likely

/in , , /by /Sweetwater Authority

Chula Vista, Calif. – Due to expected heavy rainfall from tropical storm Hilary, Sweetwater Authority expects unplanned water releases, or spills, from Loveland Reservoir in Alpine, California may occur early next week. These potential unplanned water releases, together with expected abundant storm runoff, could cause flooding in areas downstream. Residents in the Sweetwater River flood-plain asked to prepare in order to reduce possibility of damage to property.

(Editor’s note: The Sweetwater Authority is one of the San Diego County Water Authority’s 24 member agencies that deliver water across the San Diego County region.) 

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Loveland Reservoir Expected to Spill Early Next Week Due to Tropical Storm, Flooding in Area Likely

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Residents in the Sweetwater River flood-plain asked to prepare in order to reduce possibility of damage to property

Chula Vista, Calif. – Due to expected heavy rainfall from tropical storm Hilary, Sweetwater Authority expects unplanned water releases, or spills, from Loveland Reservoir in Alpine, California may occur early next week. These potential unplanned water releases, together with expected abundant storm runoff, could cause flooding in areas downstream.

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Loveland Reservoir May Be Weeks Away From Partial Reopening

/in , , /by /Fox 5 by Kasia Gregorczyk

A group of East County residents made the trip to the South Bay Wednesday evening to fight for the reopening of Loveland Reservoir. It’s a topic they’ve been raising concern about for several months now.

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East County Residents Continue to Question Loveland Reservoir Closure

/in , /by /Fox 5 by Kasia Gregorczyk

East County residents are still searching for answers after the Loveland Reservoir was drained and then closed to public access. They haven’t been told when or if they’ll be able to use the area for recreation again.

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In Heated Alpine Meeting, Sweetwater Officials Pledge to Restore Some Damage, Reopen Loveland Reservoir—but Won’t Rule Out Future Extreme Draining

/in , /by /East County Magazineby Miriam Raftery

A crowd of more than angry residents turned out at the Alpine Community Planning Group hearing on March 23, where Sweetwater Water Authority officials addressed concerns over damage at Loveland Reservoir after SWA drained it to dead pool status. Audience members and planning group members peppered SWA officials with questions in the at times contentious session.

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Sweetwater Reservoir Open to Free Fishing on Sundays in 2023

/in , , /by /Water News Network

The Sweetwater Reservoir now offers “Free Fishing Sundays” through the Sweetwater Authority’s Reservoir Recreation Program. Free access weekly on Sundays will continue through the end of 2023.

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