SFID working to keep people from fishing in reservoir’s local water supply

While the water of the San Dieguito Reservoir may be enticingly clean and blue, the Santa Fe Irrigation District (SFID) wants to remind residents that the reservoir is not meant for recreational uses like fishing.

The district is currently making some repairs at the dam at the reservoir off Lago Lindo and a portable dam is set up on the shoreline with metal stakes and a tarp. During an update at the Aug. 7 Rancho Santa Fe Association meeting, SFID Manager Al Lau showed security camera footage of a group of kids gathered on top of the temporary dam, fishing in the early morning hours last month.

“It’s in the heart of the community here in Rancho Santa Fe. Most people drive by it, they think it looks very nice. Most people don’t realize it is an integral part of the drinking water system,” Lau said. “Even though it looks very calm and very tranquil, it is a safety concern.”

While historically over the years kids have snuck around the fences to fish, incidents of vandalism and trespassing have increased since the pandemic. Lau said people have not only used the reservoir for fishing, but have even brought in kayaks and paddleboards

“This creates a big problem for us,” Lau said. As the reservoir is a part of SFID’s water treatment process, the state mandates against body contact with the water. It is also an active and operational reservoir: Kids could slip, fall in the water and get pulled toward the dam or caught within the suction of a pump.

Recently the reservoir was also damaged by nighttime trespassers when some kids came in and threw rocks at the meter structure. The damage was minimal but it could’ve impacted the valuable local water supply and delivery to customers.

In response to the uptick in trespassing and vandalism activity, SFID has installed additional security cameras, hired additional security patrols and added more fencing. They are also doing outreach with local school districts, adjacent cities and water districts, trying to get the word out: “Help us keep our water supply safe,” Lau said.

The Santa Fe Irrigation District serves the communities of Rancho Santa Fe and Solana Beach.