Alum Treatment scheduled for lake next week

The Lake Elsinore & San Jacinto Watersheds Authority (LESJWA) has announced an alum treatment in Canyon Lake Monday through Friday. This effort aims to enhance water quality and reduce algae growth by addressing high nutrient levels predominantly introduced through stormwater runoff.

The treatment involves the application of alum, a substance that binds with phosphorus present in the water, effectively settling it to the lake’s bottom and thus mitigating algae proliferation.

This method is chosen for its proven effectiveness and minimal risk to both humans and aquatic life, ensuring no impact on the quality of drinking water. The application is the regularly-scheduled treatment by LESJWA to help control the algae growth in the lake.

Canyon Lake will remain accessible to the public throughout the treatment, with recreational activities expected to experience minimal interruption.

The alum application is part of a broader strategy to comply with water quality standards set by the State, under the oversight of the Santa Ana Regional Water Quality Control Board.

The initiative is funded by the Lake Elsinore & Canyon Lake Nutrient Total Maximum Daily Load (TMDL) Task Force, a coalition spearheaded by LESJWA and including cities, the county, and other entities.

The treatment schedule is subject to change, but is currently set for April 22: Main Body, 7:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m., April 23: Main Body, 7:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m., April 24: Main Boat Ramp to 7:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m., April 25: West end of East Bay and East Bay/North Causeway, 7:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m. and April 26: Clean-up, 7:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m.

For more information, including daily operational updates, residents are encouraged to visit http://www.canyonlakealum.wordpress.com/ or watch the Canyon Lake Alum Application video at https://youtu.be/D0iUtkTVGnc.

Additionally, Rachel Gray of the Lake Elsinore & San Jacinto Watershed Authority can be contacted at 951-354-4242 or rgray@sawpa.go for further inquiries.