California DWR begins construction on Lake Perris water release facility with drainage upgrades
The California Department of Water Resources (DWR) has begun construction on the Lake Perris Emergency Release Facility project in Riverside County, aimed at modernizing water infrastructure and ensuring public safety. This project is designed to safeguard the community in the event that Lake Perris needs to be lowered during emergencies, such as a major earthquake.
The improvements include the construction of new levees, bridges, and a drainage system downstream of Perris Dam. These upgrades will enable water to be safely redirected from Lake Perris into a drainage channel, ultimately reaching the Perris Valley Channel. Additionally, infrastructure improvements will protect nearby areas, including a school, water treatment plant, and the critical Interstate 215.
David Sarkisian, State Water Project Dam Safety Services Manager, emphasized the importance of resilience: “As earthquakes and extreme weather events are a constant threat to our infrastructure, DWR continues to modernize our facilities to be resilient and protect the local community and California’s water supply,” he said. “The project’s improvements downstream of Lake Perris will provide additional protection for the community through the construction of drainage infrastructure.”
Community engagement has been a priority, with over 100 meetings held since 2013 to discuss the project's impact. Local access to the southeast side of Lake Perris and the fairgrounds will remain open during construction, though residents can expect localized noise and increased site activity.
The project is part of the larger Perris Dam Modernization Program, with planned completion in 2027. Earlier phases included the successful completion of the Perris Dam Remediation Project in 2018. The final phase, the Outlet Tower Improvements Project, is expected to be completed by 2029.
Lake Perris, completed in 1974, is a key water source for Southern California. The State Water Project (SWP) provides water to 27 million residents and irrigates 750,000 acres of farmland across the state. The Lake Perris Emergency Release Facility is a critical part of California’s ongoing efforts to improve infrastructure and resilience, as part of Governor Newsom’s "build more, faster" initiative.
Related News
From Archive
- OSHA issues 16 citations following fatal sewer confined space incident
- 27 pipeline safety violations tied to deadly Pa. chocolate factory explosion
- Contractor gas line strike triggers home explosion in Missouri
- LA recovery reports call for $650 million power line burial, major utility upgrades in Pacific Palisades
- Comprehensive microtrenching FAQ: Key insights on the Vermeer MTR516 microtrencher
- T-Mobile to expand fiber broadband infrastructure footprint with $4.9 billion Metronet acquisition
- First tunnel boring machines complete testing for Hudson Tunnel Project
- NWPX grows water infrastructure portfolio with Colorado precast facility
- Cityside launches $100 million fiber build in Corona, Calif.
- FiberLight to build 1,400-mile West Texas dark fiber network in $350 million expansion
Comments