Water Resources

  Current Lake Level, USGS
Current Clear Lake Dam Releases, USGS

The Clear Lake Integrated Watershed Management Plan is now available online for public comment. Click here to accces.

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The Lake County Water Resources Division is responsible for two branches: The Lake County Watershed Protection District; and Lakebed Management. The Lake County Watershed Protection District, was originally created as the Lake County Flood Control and Water Conservation District as a political subdivision of the State of California established under the Lake County Flood Control and Water Conservation Act, of the State Water Code in 1951. Under the County Board of Supervisors, which acts as its Board of Directors, the District is administered as a division of the Department of Public Works managed by the Deputy Director - Water Resources who reports to the Director of Public Works.

The Watershed Protection District administers the National Flood Insurance Program for Lake County; plans and implements flood control projects including preliminary engineering and contract administration for Master Plans of Drainage, aerial photography, groundwater management planning, watershed management planning and development of grant proposals.

The District is responsible for maintaining 10.5 miles of levees and creeks in four zones of benefit and a groundwater detention structure on Kelsey Creek. The Division also operates and maintains the Adobe Creek Reservoir, the Highland Springs Reservoir, and the Highland Springs Park.

The District has several citizens advisory task forces and committees that meet to review and recommend program activities. Zone 1, Adobe Creek; Zone 4, Scotts Creek; Zone 5, Kelsey Creek; Zone 8, Upper Middle Creek and the Clear Lake Advisory Subcommittee of the Lake County Coordinating Resources Management Committee.

Lakebed Management is responsible for maintaining the public trust lands below the highwater mark (7.79 Rumsey) in Clear Lake in accordance with Lake County code, Chapter 23, the Shoreline Ordinance, and Chapter 639 in the State Statutes of 1973. The Lakebed Division processes permits and encroachment leases for all structures in the lake below 7.79' on the local Rumsey gauge. Lakebed maintains navigation aides, swim markers and swim areas; performs water quality monitoring; and provides support to the Sheriff's Department (CREWS), Department of Fish and Game, Corps of Engineer, and State Lands Commission. Lake enhancement programs such as algae management are also the responsibility of Lakebed Management.

In addition to working with other county departments, the Water Resources Division coordinates its various programs with Yolo County Flood Control and Water Conservation District, Lake County Vector Control District, State Reclamation Board, State Department of Water Resources, State Lands Commission, State Water Resources Control Board, Central Valley Regional Water Quality Control Board, California Department of Fish and Game, U. S. Army Corps of Engineers, U. S. Forest Service, U. S. Bureau of Reclamation, Natural Resources Conservation Service, Bureau of Land Management West Lake and East Lake Resource Conservation Districts, Federal Emergency Management Agency, Lake County Career Center and Cities of Clearlake and Lakeport. In addition to fish, there is abundant wildlife within the Basin. There are year-round populations of ducks, pelicans, grebes, blue herons, egrets, and osprey, and winter populations of bald eagles and white pelicans. The Basin also supports abundant populations of deer, bear, mountain lion, raccoon and other animals.

For recreation information around Clear Lake, please contact the Lake County Visitor Information Center.

Lake County Visitor Information Center
6110 East Hwy 20, Lucerne, CA
Mailing Address: P.O. Box 1025 Lucerne, Ca 95458
(707)274-5652 or 1-800-525-3743
Website:lakecounty.com
Email:info@lakecounty.com