LADWP to Begin Refilling Silver Lake Reservoir
LOS ANGELES (March 22, 2017) — Los Angeles Department of Water and Power (LADWP) officials confirmed today that surplus water from the above average snowpack runoff water from the Eastern Sierra region will be made available to refill Silver Lake Reservoir ahead of schedule. Utilizing this water source, the refill of Silver Lake Reservoir will begin in mid-April and take approximately two months. This option replaces the originally planned -May refill of the reservoir using local water resources that would have taken approximately 12 months.
“The abundant water supply from this winter’s snowfall has come to us with an added benefit,” Richard Harasick, LADWP Senior Assistant General Manager of Water, said. “With the above average snowpack, we have a surplus of water in the LA Aqueduct System and with it the opportunity to refill Silver Lake Reservoir ahead of schedule.”
Once filled, the reservoir will be kept at historic levels ranging between 440 and 450 feet above sea level. LADWP’s Silver Lake Restoration Project is installing approximately 3,100 feet of pipeline connecting a well located at LADWP’s Ripple Street Yard to existing pipeline infrastructure at Silver Lake and Ivanhoe Reservoirs. Non-potable water from this well will be used to maintain reservoir levels.
“I want to thank the Los Angeles Department of Water and Power for holding true to their promise to refill the Silver Lake Reservoir. Today’s announcement guarantees the reservoir will be refilled at a faster rate than originally anticipated. This is a big win for the nearby residents and all Angelenos alike,” said 4thDistrict Councilmember David Ryu. “Over the coming months, we will continue to work with all stakeholders in a transparent and engaging community process as we discuss the long-term future of the Silver Lake Reservoir.”
“The recent wet weather has provided us with the opportunity to restore water to the Silver Lake Reservoir ahead of schedule. However, we need to be mindful that water is a precious resource, that this overflow is a gift, and we need to continue to be vigilant in our conservation efforts for water use,” said 13th District Councilmember Mitch O’Farrell. “This principle will factor into our upcoming community Master Plan process to ensure a long-term, sustainable future for the Reservoir.”
LADWP emptied Silver Lake Reservoir in late 2015 to allow for the construction of the Silver Lake Reservoir Complex (SLRC) Bypass Project, part of LADWP’s compliance efforts to address updated State and Federal drinking water quality regulations that require LADWP to cover, bypass, or treat water stored in its open reservoirs. The bypass project was built to divert drinking water away from Silver Lake and Ivanhoe Reservoirs to Headworks Reservoir, a new covered water storage facility, constructed as part of the SLRC Storage Replacement Project.
LADWP is hosting a community meeting on Wednesday, March 22 at 6:30 p.m. at the Ivanhoe Elementary School Auditorium located at 2828 Herkimer St, Los Angeles to discuss project updates on the SLRC Bypass Project, including plans for refilling and maintaining water quality at Silver Lake Reservoir.
For more project information, visit www.ladwp.com/slrcbypass.
