Water Level Dropping In Lake Elsinore Following Dry Winter, Hot Summer

The water level in Lake Elsinore is low due to lack of winter rain followed by a hot summer, and that has officials looking to Mother Nature to do her part.

In fact, The Press-Enterprise is reporting the water level is the lowest it has been since 2004 -- below its lowest optimal elevation of 1,240 feet.

Although Elsinore Valley Municipal Water District supplements the lake with recycled water at an annual shared cost between the district and the city of $1.3 million, Mother Nature must do her part too, City of Lake Elsinore spokeswoman Nicole Dailey told Patch earlier this year.

"This last January-March was one of the driest winters in California’s history," Dailey told Patch in June. "On average, the lake loses about 9,000 gallons per minute to evaporation or about 4.5 vertical feet per year. The addition of supplemental water can slow the drop in lake elevation, but there are not sufficient resources to maintain the lake level without mother nature kicking in her fair share."

City officials had been hoping the lowest optimal elevation in the lake would not be reached until Oct. 1, Dailey said. According to The Press-Enterprise report, that level was reached Sept. 4.

Click here to read the full Press-Enterprise report.