HomeMy WebLinkAboutCC Reso No 2014-064 Free Boating Days Wednesday & SundayRESOLUTION NO. 2014 -064
A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE
CITY OF LAKE ELSINORE, CALIFORNIA, TEMPORARILY
OFFERING FREE BOATING DAYS ON WEDNESDAY AND
SUNDAYS
WHEREAS, Lake Elsinore is Southern California's largest natural, freshwater lake
with 3,000 surface acres and over 14 miles of shoreline. However, as a natural lake it is
reliant on rain and runoff from the Lake Elsinore and San Jacinto Watersheds; and
WHEREAS, in the past, prior to the City's Lake Elsinore Management Project, Lake
Elsinore had a history of flooding and drying due to fluctuations in rainfalls. This fluctuation,
particularly low rainfall levels, can reduce the lake level and lead to fish kills; and
WHEREAS, Fish kills are caused by four naturally occurring conditions, which include
the watershed, algae, weather /low lake levels and carp /shad. First, unwanted natural
substances become part of the water as it travels through the watershed, next low lake levels
and warmer waters can increase algae, in addition the carp and shad stir up the nutrients
from the lake bottom increasing algae levels, and, ultimately, the overall increased algae
production in the lake depletes the oxygen levels in the water that the fish need to survive;
and
WHEREAS, Lake Elsinore was plagued by fish kills for decades until the creation of
the Lake Elsinore & San Jacinto Watershed Authority. This joint powers authority, in
coordination with the City's efforts, developed and implemented comprehensive, long -term
strategies for improving water quality at Lake Elsinore. These projects have included lake -
mixing fans and diffused air lines to increase oxygen levels in the lake, a recycled water
pipeline to add five million gallons of recycled water to the lake every day, groundwater wells
in the back basin to also help stabilize lake levels and fish management programs such as
fish stocking to improve the fisheries; and
WHEREAS, this year has been among one of the driest years on record for California.
As a result, the lake level is only approximately 1237', which is below the optimal level of
1240'. In addition, there have been several fluctuations in the weather including temperatures
well over one hundred degrees and rising. As a result, the lake's oxygen levels have been
unstable raising concerns about the fishery in the lake. The City, in partnership with the
Elsinore Valley Municipal Water District (EVMWD), carefully monitor the lake's dissolved
oxygen levels weekly; and
WHEREAS, one way that oxygen levels are improved in the lake, aside from
increasing water levels, is the mixing of the water. While the existing axial flow pumps and
mixing fans are running at their optimal levels, they most likely will not be enough alone to
mix oxygen levels in the entire lake. Other ways to further mix the lake and improve dissolved
oxygen levels include wind and boating activity.
City Council Resolution No. 2014 -064
Page 2 of 2
NOW, THEREFORE, the City Council of the City of Lake Elsinore, California, does
hereby resolve as follows:
SECTION 1. That the City Council is offering free boating on Wednesdays and
Sundays for eight weeks through the remainder of the hottest months of the year, beginning
Sunday, August 17, 2014. Currently, boaters are required to pay for a City daily lake use
pass at a cost of $10 and any associated launch fees charged by the boat launches. The
goal of the proposed free boating days is to attract more boaters and activity to Lake Elsinore
to try to mix up the lake and improve oxygen levels.
SECTION 2. On these free boating days, the City will waive the requirement for a day
lake use pass at all boat launches. In addition, the City will cover the boat launch fees for
boaters at the City's La Laguna Resort & Boat Launch. The City will reimburse for launch
fees up to the average number of launches on Wednesdays (30) and Sundays (160) with
only 25% reimbursed for those launches above and beyond these averages.
PASSED, APPROVED AND ADOPTED at a regular meeting of the City Council of the
City of Lake Elsinore, California, this 12th day of August, 2014. ',
ATTgEST:
6
Virginia 'J. BI ,? , City Clerk
APPROVED AS TO
Zeid yeibold, City Attorney
STATE OF CALIFORNIA )
COUNTY OF RIVERSIDE ) ss.
CITY OF LAKE ELSINORE )
I, Virginia Bloom, City Clerk of the City of Lake Elsinore, California, do hereby certify
that Resolution No. 2014 -064 was adopted by the City Council of the City of Lake
Elsinore, California, at a regular meeting held on the 12th day of August 2014, and that
the same was adopted by the following vote:
AYES: Mayor Pro Tern Manos, Council Member Hickman, Council Member
Magee, Council Member Tisdale, and Mayor Johnson
NOES: None
ABSENT: None
ABSTAIN: None
Virginia 6. Bloo , City Clerk