As water level drops at Diamond Valley, rationing becomes more likely

Diamond Valley Lake, the giant regional reservoir in Riverside County, has been called the "jewel" of Southern California when it comes to pleasure boating and bass fishing.

But the jewel has been tarnished by the water woes gripping Southern California.

The water level in the 4,500-acre lake near Hemet is down by nearly 40%, and on Monday the lake's owner, the Metropolitan Water District of Southern California, will close the boat ramp.

Anglers have watched for months as the water level has declined, leaving a bathtub-style ring around the 20 miles of shoreline.

"It's just gotten worse and worse every day," bass fisherman Clint Sumner, 41, of Escondido said as he eased his 21-foot Ranger into the water this week.

Opened in 2003 at a cost of $2 billion, Diamond Valley was meant to be the major drinking-water storage facility for thirsty Southern California, as well as an insurance policy against a traumatic cutoff of water. It's the largest reservoir in Southern California.


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