Water Resources

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

 

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In May 2010, the Lake County Water Resources Department was created from the Water Resources Division of Lake County Public Works Department. The Director of the Water Resources Department reports directly to the Board of Supervisors.

The Lake County Water Resources Department 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. The District is administered by the Director of Water Resources who reports to the County Board of Supervisors, which acts as its Board of Directors.

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 13.4 miles of 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 Creek 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; the Clear Lake Advisory Committee; and 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 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 aquatic plant and
  algae management are also the responsibility of Lakebed
  Management.

  In addition to working with other county departments, the
  Water Resources Department coordinates its various
  programs with Yolo County Flood Control and Water
  Conservation District, Lake County Vector Control District,
  California Central Valley Flood Protection Board, California 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. D. A. Forest Service, U. S. D. I. Bureau of Reclamation, Natural Resources Conservation Service, Bureau of Land Management West Lake and East Lake Resource Conservation Districts, Federal Emergency Management Agency, and Cities of Clearlake and Lakeport.

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