Friends of the San Diego Lakes

08/21/2026

UPDATE! Since the start of the low water disaster at El Capitan Reservoir and losing the launch ramp we made our priority to advocate making things better under ANY condition so we can keep fishing! Keep lakes open, prevent budget cuts and getting infrastructure projects approved. That’s what we are focused on.
1. NEW ROAD - construction of a new paved Access road at El Cap is approved.
2. NEW BOAT LAUNCH RAMP. The 2.4 million County City agreement now includes 200ft of new extended launch ramp at El Cap because of the low water conditions is pending.
Construction start dates are pending. THESE ARE REAL PROJECTS that will make things better when we get our lake back. We will need your involvement soon to drive support for the final approval on the new ramp construction so stay tuned. More to come!

08/12/2026

08/07/2026

LOW LOW LOW WATER! We have seeing it for months at all the San Diego city Lakes and can’t stop it.
El Capitan, Sutherland, Lower Otay and now San Vicente. Recreation and businesses suffering because of this. Draining the lakes….When will it stop? EVERYONE SHOULD BE AWARE AND CONCERNED ABOUT THIS. It’s not just about fishing and recreation. What happens when the water is GONE?!?!? THERE IS A BETTER WAY!

08/05/2026

California is considering additions to the state’s Marine Protected Area Network. These expanded MPAs would limit recreational fishing access for California’s 1.6 million anglers and threaten the $7.9 billion sportfishing contributes to the economy.

California’s state fisheries scientists reviewed the expansion petitions and recommended denying them, concluding that they bring no new or compelling science to the table and would not actually improve conservation.

Take action today—urge the California Fish and Game Commission to follow the science, protect fishing access, and preserve opportunities for everyone to enjoy our public marine resources. https://www.votervoice.net/KAF/campaigns/138780/respond

05/25/2026

On this Memorial day we Remember and Honor. Thank you for your service. 🇺🇸

05/19/2026

The Coastal Conservation Association of California (CCA CAL) San Diego Chapter needs your voice.

A new proposal (Petition 2023-33MPA) aims to expand the Cabrillo State Marine Reserve by over 15 square miles. This massive expansion will lock recreational anglers and divers out of the iconic Point Loma kelp beds and Sunset Cliffs.

Locking out sustainable public access is not the answer. Studies show that kelp declines are caused by climate shifts, not local anglers.

What is at Stake?

15.2 Square Miles Lost: Massive closures stretching to Swordfish Point and 3 miles out.

HOW YOU CAN HELP

✅ Attend the upcoming Fish & Game Commission meeting Tomrrow on, May 19, 2026; 8:30 AM. Show up in person or attend the Zoom Meeting (Link in the comments)
✅ Submit public comments
✅ Share this post to raise awareness

🗣️ High-Impact Comment Framework (Use This at Hearings)
🔹 1. Acknowledge the Goal (disarms opposition)

“I support conservation and sustainable fisheries…”

🔹 2. Shift to Data Gaps

“However, proposed changes lack clear evidence that additional restrictions will improve outcomes beyond current MPAs and SMRs.”

🔹 3. Hit Socioeconomic Impact

“Recreational fishing supports coastal economies, access, and public engagement with conservation…”

🔹 4. Call Out Enforcement Reality

“Expanding boundaries without increasing enforcement reduces the effectiveness of the entire system.”

🔹 5. Demand Accountability

“Before expanding, we should evaluate whether existing MPAs and SMRs are meeting the stated goal.”

🔹 6. Offer Alternative (CRITICAL)

“Adaptive management, seasonal closures, and targeted protections are more effective than permanent closures…”

Don't let them close our coast. Protect your right to fish! 🌊❌

05/15/2026

🙏🙏🙏

Very strong “super” El Niños are rare. There have only been four since 1950, with the last one occurring from 2015 to 2016.

https://fox5sandiego.com/weather/chance-of-a-super-el-nino-grows-and-its-just-around-the-corner/

05/14/2026

APPROVED! Remember how much we all hate driving the road at El Cap? We have been working on getting a new road for over 3 years. It’s now going to happen. We know our mood to celebrate this will be taken by how upset we are about low water conditions and that sucks. The water issue is a battle we can’t win. So in the meantime we will continue to advocate for improvements that can actually happen. Thank you Senator Brian Jones, Councilmember Marni von Wilpert. Joel Anderson and the entire city council for the support of this project. Thank you to all those who support us.

05/10/2026

Get the latest info! Link in comments

04/15/2026

The Mayor released the draft 2027 budget today. We are happy to report there are NO CUTS OR CLOSURES TO THE SAN DIEGO CITY LAKES OPERATION SCHEDULE in the 2027 draft budget. Every year there were proposed cuts that would have added “closed days” to the weekly schedule to save money. This is the first time in 3 years no proposed closed days. We want to thank all supporters, friends, partners and sponsors for the massive support. Our voice and work over the last 3 years representing the Lakes has made this difference.
However, we are very discouraged about the continued low water, launch ramp conditions and water drawn down of the lakes. The city made it clear in the May 2025 memo and again on the March 2026 podcast how and why they are using local water and despite our effort to stop it have continued. We have not seen these dire conditions in decades. Now we see in the News the San Diego County Water Authority new agreements to “sell water” to Neighboring Regions because the system has a surplus. What?!?!? This does not make sense. Yes there are laws, contracts, reasons and excuses of how and why they are doing it but at the end of the day our lakes sit empty. The public is outraged and there must be a better way. While the SDCWA and the News celebrate “all the extra water they have” the lakes are at an all time low water level, launch ramps are closed, recreational attendance is down, wildlife suffers, people’s mental health and surrounding businesses are losing revenues month after month. It’s not right and must change. We have been told it’s too big to take on. It’s millions and millions of dollars of investments, it’s different water that is being allocated. So what. Not acceptable. We are committed to learning more, meeting with all agencies and pushing for a change. The San Diego City Lakes were once incredible and today are in dismal shape. There is a better way. Please share this post and spread the word. We need more public involved. There is a lot of work to do.