Metropolitan strives for a balance between fun and function with Diamond Valley Lake. The 800,000-acre-feet lake provides ample opportunity for boating, fishing, canoeing, kayaking and sailing while it also acts as an emergency water supply in case of drought or other emergency. Water stored in the reservoir is enough to serve almost a half million Southern California families for a year. That’s why Metropolitan keeps a close eye on any activity on the lake and its watershed.

In order to promote a clean environment for all users of the lake and protect a vital drinking water source, the board of directors chose to not allow body contact at Diamond Valley Lake, require clean-burning engines on boats and no fuel containing the additive MTBE.

Swimming, wading, water skiing and other sports that put the human body in contact with water raises the probability that dangerous pathogens will get into the water. Those pathogens can be risky to people who come in contact with them, limit the reservoir’s capability as a source for drinking water and erode the public’s confidence in the safety of their drinking water. You may have seen the damage this can cause at a few other lakes in California. It doesn’t take much to damage a lake. Lake Tahoe, one of the most clearest in the county, has taken drastic measures to prevent further damage caused by runoff, inefficient boat engines, water pollution and other human-induced problems.

A clean lake also means healthy fish. Metropolitan and the California Department of Fish and Game partnered to develop one of the region’s best new fisheries. We remain committed to the users of Diamond Valley Lake that we will maintain a healthy and thriving fishery.

Metropolitan understands the importance of providing a complete recreational experience. That’s why Metropolitan has a commitment to develop swimming lakes outside the east dam—in conjunction with other forms of recreation in that area—that will be open for body contact and not used for storage of drinking water. The result will be a sportsman’s paradise—with fishing and boating on Diamond Valley Lake and swimming and other sports on the adjacent lakes—that melds recreational opportunities with environmental responsibility.