Lake Perris Emergency Release Facility project underway

• Construction has begun on the Lake Perris Emergency Release Facility Project.
• The project will enhance public safety in an emergency requiring the lake to be lowered.
• The project is part of a larger effort to modernize the Perris Dam.
• The project is expected to be completed in 2027.

December 12, 2024 — The California Department of Water Resources (DWR) has started construction on a project to improve the Lake Perris Dam in Riverside County, California. The project will construct new infrastructure to protect downstream communities and California’s water supply.

The Lake Perris Emergency Release Facility Project will include the construction of new levees, bridges, and a local drainage system. In an emergency, such as an earthquake, this infrastructure will allow water to be safely released from the lake.

The Lake Perris Emergency Release Facility is located in Riverside County, California, at the southernmost reservoir of the State Water Project.  Video:

Modernizing California’s Water Infrastructure for Earthquakes, Other Events.

According to David Sarkisian, State Water Project Dam Safety Services Manager, “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.”

The Lake Perris Emergency Release Facility Project is part of the larger Perris Dam Modernization Program. This program includes the Perris Dam Remediation Project, completed in 2018, and the Outlet Tower Improvements Project, expected to be completed in 2029.

Public Safety and Reliable Water Supply.

The Lake Perris Emergency Release Facility Project is an important part of California’s efforts to modernize its water infrastructure. The project will help to protect public safety and ensure a reliable water supply for the people of California.

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Image via California DWR news release:

An aerial view of Lake Perris on May 13, 2023. The artificial lake is the southern terminus of the California State Water Project, located in Riverside County, California.

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