The El Dorado Irrigation District said Friday it has received approval from the state Water Resources Control Board to transfer into Jenkinson Lake up to 4,000 acre-feet of water being released from Caples Lake under emergency conditions.
Tom Cumpston, the district's general counsel, said in a news release that because of the drawdown that already had taken place, it may not be possible to move the maximum amount.
The district began releasing water from Caples Lake, off Highway 88 in Alpine County, in late July after inspections showed that gates in the lake's main dam had deteriorated. The drawdown is necessary to allow crews to begin repairing the gates in mid-September.
District officials said the transfer of water into Jenkinson Lake in the Sly Park Recreation Area near Pollock Pines will serve as a hedge if 2009 proves to be a dry year.
– Cathy Locke
