Canyon Lake Reservoir Provides Important Drinking Water Source
The Canyon Lake Reservoir is a critical part of the EVMWD water supply system. The reservoir can hold as much as 12,000 acre-feet or 3.9 billion gallons of water, which plays a critical role in meeting regional drinking water needs during periods of peak demand.
It is also a recreational lake, leased to about 4,800 members of the Canyon Lake Property Owners Association. The CLPOA manages the use of the lake for recreation.
The recreational amenities offered by Canyon Lake Reservoir increase the property values inside Canyon Lake and offer residents enjoyable water activities year-round.
EVMWD owns all of the water and land rights within the footprint of the Canyon Lake Reservoir. This important local water supply helps ensure EVMWD can provide reliable drinking water to all 155,000 customers in its 97 square mile service area.
Joint Statement on Behalf of Canyon Lake Property Owners Association and Elsinore Valley Municipal Water District
Dear Homeowner,
The Canyon Lake Property Owners Association (CLPOA) and Elsinore Valley Municipal Water District (EVMWD) have worked cooperatively over the last several years and are now pleased to announce that a Canyon Lake Shoreline Improvements Litigation Settlement has been reached. We are awaiting final Court approval of the terms of the settlement.
The main details of the settlement are:
- All existing encroachments up to the settlement date on the Shoreline / Lake will be grandfathered.
- All lakefront homeowners will follow a new process for constructing Shoreline / Lake improvements. This process will include a License Agreement between the homeowner, CLPOA and EVMWD.
- In order to standardize and clarify property rights regarding the improvements along the shoreline and the lake, the Court is considering granting class certification to all lakefront homeowners. If you are a lakefront homeowner, you will be provided details from the court as to your rights.
- While CLPOA and EVMWD are developing a new encroachment approval process, a temporary application moratorium for new encroachments other than docks and seawalls is currently imposed. CLPOA will post updated information on its website once the application process is reopened.
Background The Lake, including the Shoreline, is owned by EVMWD. CLPOA leases the Lake and Shoreline from EVMWD. At the discretion of CLPOA and EVMWD, Lakefront homeowners can maintain certain Shoreline/Lake improvements.
In 2013, CLPOA and EVMWD began negotiations over the terms of an extension of the Lake Lease, which resulted in the addition of the 5th amendment to the lease in 2017. Recognizing the importance of this matter for the Canyon Lake residents, CLPOA and EVMWD engaged in many discussions over the boundary of the lease to allow homeowners to request improvements along the Shoreline / Lake. Thousands of enhancements along the Shoreline / Lake were considered and some challenges faced, as many of the agreements were inconsistent or not recorded.
Before signing the settlement, a survey was conducted, identifying existing encroachments. In June 2017, the survey was completed. We invite you to review the survey and learn more at CLPOA: www.canyonlakepoa.com.
EVMWD and CLPOA sincerely appreciate your patience. We understand that you may have many questions. For more information, please contact the Planning and Compliance Department at (951) 244-6841 or email pnc@canyonlakepoa.com.