Serious News
04-05-2017, 11:56 PM
BY MICHAEL J. WILLIAMS / STAFF WRITER
Published: April 5, 2017 Updated: 7:42 p.m.
http://www.pe.com/articles/lake-828973-flick-alike.html
Exactly eight months ago, Lake Elsinore's namesake lake resembled a scene from a horror flick or a science project gone bad.
Residents and visitors alike were aghast when they observed Southern California's largest natural freshwater lake carpeted with a toxic emerald goop, the result of a blue-green algae bloom provoked by drought, high temperatures and a shrinking water level.
Now, last summer's ecological disaster is a fading memory. And with the lake's official opening looming this weekend, it's immediate future is a far more pleasant image for city officials.
"With the water levels being where they're at, we're having people out on the lake daily, so having the opening this weekend is looking pretty good," Community Services Director Johnathan Skinner said. "We anticipate what will be a very successful boating season."
The key was nature, which provided a course correction with bountiful rainfall. Over the winter, the lake rose 8 feet to an elevation of 1,240 feet above sea level -- considered the minimum for the lake's optimal health. It reached a maximum depth of more than 20 feet.
The lake is one of a limited number in the Inland region that allows body contact. As such, it draws in visitors from around the region for activities like wake-boarding and personal watercraft riding.
The vast improvement� made it ideal for the National Water Ski Racing Association to bring its racing marathon back to Lake Elsinore last weekend. The event, in which racers reach speeds of up to 120 mph, was a qualifier for the national team. The squad will represent the United States in the world championship scheduled in late July and early August in Seattle and Tacoma.
Association leader Gary Heinbuch, a former Canyon Lake resident who now lives in Carlsbad, said the group was attracted to Lake Elsinore because of its expanse and high-speed zone� .
"It's just a great, great venue for parking, launching and viewing," he said.� "It's just absolutely perfect, plus the weather was great. It was a beautiful weekend and the water level was up.
"When you roll it all up, everything just goes in our favor (at Lake Elsinore) and it's excellent for us."
Senior Management Analyst Nicole Dailey, the city's lake liaison, said the races were "a great way to start off the boating season."
The season officially starts Saturday, April 8, when the city holds its annual lake opening day. While lake-use fees are traditionally waived, this Saturday, the city also is offering free launches and waiving its fishing fee as well at La Laguna Resort and Boat Launch.
Fish should be jumping as well, as the city is pumping $50,000 into a series of four stockings. The first one occurred on Feb. 22, when 4,000 bluegill and 1,600 crappie were released into the lake. A second one took place a couple of weeks ago with the planting of largemouth bass and red ear sunfish. Future stockings will include catfish and more sunfish.
"The fishing is hot right now and we have seen anglers flocking to our fishing beaches, La Laguna and out on the lake catching the cats and much more," Dailey said.
That bodes well for the Fifth Annual Lake Elsinore Dream Extreme Fishing Derby, which the Lake Elsinore Casino is holding April 29-30, followed by the annual� Just for Kids Fishing Derby on June 3.
Published: April 5, 2017 Updated: 7:42 p.m.
http://www.pe.com/articles/lake-828973-flick-alike.html
Exactly eight months ago, Lake Elsinore's namesake lake resembled a scene from a horror flick or a science project gone bad.
Residents and visitors alike were aghast when they observed Southern California's largest natural freshwater lake carpeted with a toxic emerald goop, the result of a blue-green algae bloom provoked by drought, high temperatures and a shrinking water level.
Now, last summer's ecological disaster is a fading memory. And with the lake's official opening looming this weekend, it's immediate future is a far more pleasant image for city officials.
"With the water levels being where they're at, we're having people out on the lake daily, so having the opening this weekend is looking pretty good," Community Services Director Johnathan Skinner said. "We anticipate what will be a very successful boating season."
The key was nature, which provided a course correction with bountiful rainfall. Over the winter, the lake rose 8 feet to an elevation of 1,240 feet above sea level -- considered the minimum for the lake's optimal health. It reached a maximum depth of more than 20 feet.
The lake is one of a limited number in the Inland region that allows body contact. As such, it draws in visitors from around the region for activities like wake-boarding and personal watercraft riding.
The vast improvement� made it ideal for the National Water Ski Racing Association to bring its racing marathon back to Lake Elsinore last weekend. The event, in which racers reach speeds of up to 120 mph, was a qualifier for the national team. The squad will represent the United States in the world championship scheduled in late July and early August in Seattle and Tacoma.
Association leader Gary Heinbuch, a former Canyon Lake resident who now lives in Carlsbad, said the group was attracted to Lake Elsinore because of its expanse and high-speed zone� .
"It's just a great, great venue for parking, launching and viewing," he said.� "It's just absolutely perfect, plus the weather was great. It was a beautiful weekend and the water level was up.
"When you roll it all up, everything just goes in our favor (at Lake Elsinore) and it's excellent for us."
Senior Management Analyst Nicole Dailey, the city's lake liaison, said the races were "a great way to start off the boating season."
The season officially starts Saturday, April 8, when the city holds its annual lake opening day. While lake-use fees are traditionally waived, this Saturday, the city also is offering free launches and waiving its fishing fee as well at La Laguna Resort and Boat Launch.
Fish should be jumping as well, as the city is pumping $50,000 into a series of four stockings. The first one occurred on Feb. 22, when 4,000 bluegill and 1,600 crappie were released into the lake. A second one took place a couple of weeks ago with the planting of largemouth bass and red ear sunfish. Future stockings will include catfish and more sunfish.
"The fishing is hot right now and we have seen anglers flocking to our fishing beaches, La Laguna and out on the lake catching the cats and much more," Dailey said.
That bodes well for the Fifth Annual Lake Elsinore Dream Extreme Fishing Derby, which the Lake Elsinore Casino is holding April 29-30, followed by the annual� Just for Kids Fishing Derby on June 3.