Edition:
December 7, 2007
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The Friday Flyer Editor
Canyon Lake got an early Christmas present last week when Mother Nature saw fit to shower the area with late fall rainfall measuring 2.13 inches, raising the lake level by more than four feet. As usual with a big storm, there were a few difficulties associated with the timing of the rain and the heavy runoff.
For starters, the timing couldn’t have been worse for Snow Day, which had to be cancelled. “It will not be rescheduled, so we’ll hope for better weather next year,” says Activities Manager Kathie Barnes.
Then there was the runoff. According to observers like Bert Barbay, who took this picture on the 6th fairway, there appeared to be substantial runoff coming onto the Golf Course from the new Pardee development above the Fairway Estates. Fortunately, the runoff “ran off” – right into the lake – just as it was supposed to, according to Golf Pro Dave Lindeman, who says there was no sediment and no damage to the fairways.
Operations crews quickly got to work cleaning up streets and parks, where runoff from vacant lots strewed small rocks and sediment on roads. They also had to adjust POA docks at parks throughout the community to the higher water level. Residents are urged to do the same.
Immediately after the high volume of runoff began filling the lake and, in accordance with State of California Department of Health Services guidelines, Canyon Lake was posted with contaminated water warning signs as a precaution on December 1.
Water sampling began December 4 to determine bacteria levels and the results came back yesterday showing E. coli contamination was three times higher than the maxium allowable level for bodily contact in the North Ski Area. Levels in the Easty Bay were also higher than allowable, thus requiring the contaminations signs to remain posted at least through the weekend.
Senior Special Enforcement Officer Bob Bohan notes this was expected since this was a significant storm that acted as a “flushing agent” in the San Jacinto Watershed area, with runoff from storm drains coming from San Jacinto, Moreno Valley and Perris. In addition, significant runoff was observed washing into the lake from Quail Valley.
In the winter of 2004-2005, heavy winter rains forced sewage out of underground septic tanks in Quail Valley, saturating the surrounding ground to the point that bacteria and toxins could not be filtered out. The contaminated runoff flowed into Canyon Lake, resulting in the closure of the lake for several months after testing revealed dangerously high levels of E. coli bacteria.
In October 2006, the Santa Ana Regional Water Quality Board (SARWQB) approved the prohibition of septic tanks in Quail Valley. Since then, local water boards have been working to obtain grant monies to help fund design and environmental studies for a proposed $70 million sewer system.
Although there has been a drought since the winter of 2005 and the water table is low, Bob emphasizes it is still possible for contamination to occur from inadequate percolation fields or under-maintained septic systems in Quail Valley.
Those handling water contaminated with E. coli risk infection if they have open wounds or get it in their mouth, which is why the State of California had to come up with the guidelines it did to have the lake posted as “contaminated” immediately after a large influx of runoff, as happened last weekend and is possible this weekend.
One more complication from the high water level is the difficulty for some boats to get through the tunnel under the Main Causeway. As of last Sunday, Marine Patrol and CLPD boats had difficulty getting their boats through; and, if there is more rain this weekend, it will only get worse. In that case, Mother Nature’s early Christmas gift may backfire for another of the community’s favorite events – the Parade of Lights.
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