Workers begin draining Irvine Lake for Santiago Creek Dam improvement project

The project alters local fishing access while upgrading a 1933 dam that serves nearly a million residents, aiming to add 3,700 acre-feet of water capacity by 2030.

• •Workers are scheduled to begin draining Irvine Lake on Monday as part of Santiago Creek Dam repairs.
• •The Irvine Ranch Water District manages the lake and oversees the dam improvement project.
• •The dam was originally built in 1933 and serves nearly a million residents.
• •The project has upset local anglers who fish in the lake.
• •Plans for draining the lake were known publicly in 2019 when the lake was reopened.
• •The water district began assessing the dam in 2017 to determine needed improvements.
• •Upgrades include meeting modern seismic and safety standards.
• •The improvements aim to boost storage capacity, capture more rainwater, and reduce reliance on imported water.
• •The project will restore the lake's capacity and add 3,700 acre-feet of water.
• •The dam improvement project is expected to be completed by 2030.