Dam maintenance to occur throughout November

Elsinore Valley Municipal Water District staff will be performing maintenance on the outlet valves at the Canyon Lake Dam throughout the month of November. The maintenance will allow EVMWD to inspect and repair any components of the mechanical systems. EVMWD said the maintenance will not impact water service to its customers.

Sometimes mistaken as flood gates, these valves located at the base of Canyon Lake Dam are essential for emergency procedures and for releasing sediment from the plant intake area to increase treatment process efficiency. Periodic operation of the valves on the dam not only ensures the reliability of the valves, but also has a positive impact on water quality. The flow from the valves creates a scouring effect that removes sediments from the lake floor near the dam and the plant intake barge.

Once the valve maintenance is complete, the valves will be opened to ensure proper operation. This will result in a brief release of water that will flush loose sediment and organic materials from the lake bottom. These are naturally occurring decaying materials and they may release a sulfuric or “rotten egg” odor. EVMWD said this occurrence is completely normal and should subside within a few hours.

EVMWD provides service to over 155,000 water and wastewater customers in a 97-square mile service area in Western Riverside County. The District is a sub-agency of the Western Municipal Water District and a member agency of the Metropolitan Water District of Southern California. For more information, visit evmwd.com.