The Friday Flyer • August 12, 2016

CANYON LAKE’S NEWSPAPER • AUGUST 12, 2016
Residents rally for 'Hands for Amy' fundraiser Pg. A10
CooloffatFlick-n-Float RobbinBouslogisan tomorrow at Lodge 'Unsung Hero'
pool Pg.A3 A8
A tradition that has been around for 30 years, the Kids Fishing Derby, was cancelled for the first time in memory this week due to the closure of the lake from toxicity.
Fishing Derby postponed due to lake closure
BY SHARON RICE
EDITOR, THE FRIDAY FLYER
For the first time in its 30-year tradi- tion, the annual Kids Fishing Derby had to be postponed due to closure of the lake and uncertainty whether it would reopen before the weekend. Last Sat- urday’s Paddle & Pedal Regatta also was postponed at the last minute due to a notification from the Elsinore Val- ley Municipal Water District late Fri- day afternoon that water tests indicated dangerous levels of cylindrospermopsin and cautionary levels of microcystins in Canyon Lake.
Senior Scientist, Dr. Meredith How- ard of Southern California Coastal Wa- ter Research Project, was in close con- tact with the Association and the City of Canyon Lake to advise of test results and California’s suggested guidelines. The guidelines specify that the high con- centrated level of cylindrospermopsin in the lake was “above the recreational ac- tion thresholds for human health” and considered in the “danger” zone (the most severe).
With toxin levels at those concentra- tions, the CLPOA and the City of Can- yon Lake chose to close the lake to all body contact and recreation until further notice. The closure put a damper on the last weekend of summer before school started.
According to City Manger Aaron Palmer, signs warning of contaminated water were posted at 11 locations around the lake, and Operations closed the boat launch ramps in the Main Lake and East Bay. The City also sent out CodeRED notification to everyone on their list (see below) and the POA sent out text mes- sages to all POA members who have signed up to receive text messages.
The word didn’t reach everyone be- cause residents could still be seen skiing and fishing on the lake over the week- end. Community Patrol’s stated posi- tion on that (to at least one resident who asked) was, “The lake is closed – that’s our stand. But if you choose to go on the lake, we won’t stop you.”
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Though these signs were posted at 11 locations around the lake late last Friday, they didn't specify that the lake was closed to body contact and recreation.
PHOTO BY DONNA RITCHIE PHOTO BY DONNA KUPKE