Efforts to modernize California's water infrastructure and safeguard public safety in the event of an earthquake are taking center stage as the state's Department of Water Resources (DWR) begins construction on the Lake Perris Emergency Release Facility (ERF) project this month in Riverside County.
This ambitious initiative, taking place about 60 miles east of Los Angeles, aims to protect local communities and vital infrastructure by enabling safe water redirection in case a major earthquake or other emergencies occur.
The ERF project, part of the broader Perris Dam Modernization Program, includes building new levees, bridges and a local drainage system downstream from the dam.
These upgrades will allow water to be diverted safely away from Lake Perris through a series of levees and channels to the Perris Valley Channel in the event of a severe earthquake or extreme weather.
The lake itself sits near several seismic faults, according to the DWR, heightening the risk to 80,000 people who call Perris, the town that has arisen around the reservoir, home.
Notably, the project will protect a school, Interstate 215 and a nearby water treatment plant.
"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," said David Sarkisian, state water project dam safety services manager, in a statement.
"The project's improvements downstream of Lake Perris will provide additional protection for the community through the construction of drainage infrastructure," he added.
The construction, set to continue through 2027, is a big task. It will involve localized noise and traffic modifications, all while maintaining access to the Lake Perris State Recreation Area and fairgrounds.
The recreation area covers some 8,800 acres, incorporating the reservoir itself and the surrounding landscape.
Around a million visitors a year flock to the lake's beaches, according to California State Parks, a state agency.
Water levels in Lake Perris are at 1,578 mean feet above sea level, around 23 feet below its full level, according to the website Lakes Online.
The ERF project is part of a three-phase modernization effort for Lake Perris, which is the southernmost reservoir in California's State Water Project. Built in the 1970s, the lake provides water to millions of Californians, supports recreation and serves as the terminus for the East Branch of the California Aqueduct.
The first phase, the Perris Dam Remediation Project, strengthened the dam's foundation and was completed in 2018. The final phase, the Outlet Tower Improvements Project, scheduled for completion in 2029, will further enhance the lake's ability to manage water releases during emergencies.
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