LADWP Reports Road Reopening, Lake Closures, and Seasonal Updates for Eastern Sierra

Pleasant Valley Dam Road has fully reopened to the public as of October 12, including all pedestrian and fishing access. This follows a closure initiated on August 17, 2026, for roadway improvements. Concurrently, Klondike Lake is now officially closed for public boating, marking the end of the summer season for the waterway. Crowley Lake is also expected to close on October 24, 2026.

October 1st annually marks the commencement of California’s new water year, a critical date for effective water management across the state. Earlier in April 2026, the Eastern Sierra snowpack measured 24% of its normal levels. Warmer temperatures caused snowmelt and runoff to begin earlier than usual. Despite a below-normal water supply forecast this year, LADWP successfully met close to 40 percent of the City’s annual demand, which represented approximately 81 billion gallons of water—enough to supply nearly 43,000 households for an entire year. LADWP water managers closely monitor weather forecasts to make operational decisions that ensure safe, resilient, and affordable access to water for customers, while also balancing environmental needs in the Eastern Sierra. Annual snow surveys are scheduled to begin on February 1.

LADWP Owens Valley crews responded swiftly to the Rock Fire in Aberdeen, CA, which occurred on July 20. The fire caused damage to critical infrastructure, prompting crews to replace over 150 poles and restore power to affected customers by the second day. This coordinated response, supported by L.A. Basin power line crews, water operations, supply chain, and fleet services, demonstrated LADWP's dedication to protecting the Eastern Sierra community.

Over the last two decades, LADWP has invested over $3 billion in EPA-approved dust control methods. These efforts have successfully reduced dust emissions from Owens Lake by over 99%. LADWP teams work diligently to ensure adequate dust mitigation measures are in place to address potential stressors and challenges during the wind season.

LADWP is a proud sponsor of the Tangle Free Waters program, a partnership with Mammoth Lakes Recreation and other government agencies. This initiative is designed to reduce and recycle monofilament fishing lines from local waterways, thereby protecting the environment. Residents and visitors are encouraged to locate a Tangle Free Water station nearby to help keep fishing lines out of Eastern Sierra waterways.

This past summer, LADWP Aqueduct Student Workers received a hands-on tour of critical dam infrastructure, including the spillway, slide gate, and the emergency diversion tunnel deep below Crowley Lake. The Aqueduct Student Worker Program provides students with valuable real-world field and administrative experience across the Eastern Sierra, helping to prepare them for future careers.

Last month, LADWP also participated in the City of Bishop’s Annual Hispanic Heritage Celebration at Bishop City Park. The event featured musical performances, food vendors, cultural exhibitors, and community informational booths. LADWP engaged with attendees through community conversations, sharing information about department initiatives, customer programs, and the Los Angeles Aqueduct. The team also conducted high voltage electric safety demonstrations in both Spanish and English.

LADWP continues to offer job opportunities in the Eastern Sierra. A virtual job fair was held last month, and available positions include Electric Distribution Mechanic Journey-Level and Trainee roles, with application periods from May 25, 2026, to November 27, 2026. A Mechanical Helper position also had an application period from October 2, 2026, to October 15, 2026. LADWP serves more than four million Los Angeles residents with a workforce exceeding 12,000 employees.

Customers are also reminded about energy conservation. Any appliance with a clock or “instant on” setting is considered an “Energy Vampire” as it uses electricity continuously. Unplugging non-essential appliances and electronics, such as computers, phone chargers, and televisions when not in use, can help reduce energy consumption. Using an advanced power strip to automatically turn off idle equipment is also recommended.

With wind gusts potentially causing damage to trees and power lines, LADWP reminds customers to prioritize safety. Always stay away from downed wires and never touch a downed or dangling wire, or anyone or anything in contact with it. Residents should always assume a downed wire is energized and report any downed wires immediately by calling 911. For reporting outages or hazards, customers can dial 1 (800) 992-8331 during business hours (Monday-Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.) or (833) 325-2397 after hours.