The following is an update on Lake Merced activities that the SFPUC is currently engaged in with the goal of preserving and enhancing the lake's water resources. 

Lake Levels - As of March 1, 2004, South Lake was at 5.1 feet City Datum (22.6 ft. Gage Board).  This is up from 2.6 feet on March 1, 2003, and 1.7 feet on March 1, 2002.  For comparison, the Lake Merced Task Force Resolution of December 3, 2003 supports a lake level between 7.5 and 10.5 (25-28 feet gage board).  As expected, South Lake water levels have risen high enough to spill into Impound Lake and now results in the two lake being interconnected for the first time since about 1987.

Lake Merced Task Force - Staff participated in the regular March 10, 2004 Lake Merced Task Force Meeting at the SF Zoo. The LMTF adopted a resolution that encourages the SFPUC to implement a pilot recycled water project as soon as possible at Harding Park, the SF Zoo, and/or Golden Gate Park. The intended goal is to provide SFPUC staff and potential future customers of tertiary recycled water experience in efficiently and safely producing and distributing tertiary recycled water and eventually provide part of the supplemental water needed to maintain lake levels by offsetting existing irrigation water that uses system water or groundwater.  Staff also held a meeting with local community members on March 16, 2004 to scope out the proposed adaptive management monitoring plan for raising and maintaining lake levels.

Stormwater Pilot Wetlands Treatment Project -  After receiving state and local regulatory approval we initiated our first test on February 25, 2004. As you may recall, this turned out to be a storm of historic magnitude and caused flooding into the lake and a sewage spill and thus masked our pilot diversion of stormwater.  Nonetheless, while lake water samples from February 25 and 26 showed elevated levels of bacteria in the lake (which we reported to the boating clubs), samples from March 3, 2004 showed low levels thus indicting a significant decrease in bacteria levels.  This rapid decline is positive news.  However, we still need to do much more testing to confirm and better understand the water quality issues related to stormwater treatment, bacteria die-off and lake water mixing.

CalTrout Day,  April 24, 2004, 9AM-5PM -  CalTrout Day 2004 will offer kids and adults the chance to enjoy great trout fishing and other fun activities at Lake Merced. The event is being organized by California Trout (http://www.caltroutday.org/) with the support of numerous co-sponsors including the SFPUC.