Lake Merced levels rebound

On any given day, Lake Merced may be busy with trout fishermen, bird watchers scouting an American Coot or Wilson’s Warbler, or dragon boats gliding across the water. But for years the lake was neglected and -rapidly -deteriorating.

“There was widespread recognition of the deterioration of Lake Merced, primarily water levels declining and declining water quality,” said Tim Colen, a founding member of the Lake Merced Task Force, an umbrella organization of groups. “And the recreational uses were in a shambles.”

Now, after years of study and millions of dollars spent on public projects, some of the efforts to restore the 600-acre lake on the Daly City border to its former health may have paid off — water levels are at their highest since 1986, a hair below 23 feet and a few feet from the short-term goals established by officials for -recovery.

Healthy water levels are important not only for recreational uses but because the aquifer connected to the lake provides drinking water to half of Daly City’s population and could be used as emergency water if the Hetch Hetchy system is damaged in an earthquake.

Several problems may have led to lake levels never rebounding after a drought in the late 1980s. Activists pointed to mismanagement of the lake, and its aquifer, called the West Side Basin. Local golf courses were pumping water from the aquifer, and storm water that had once filled the lake was diverted, said Greg Bartow, who manages Lake Merced projects for the SFPUC.

The threat of a lawsuit by CalTrout, a nonprofit group that tries to protect wild trout in California, prompted action by the SFPUC, Daly City and others.

Recent efforts that may have helped raise the level include the SFPUC adding Hetch Hetchy water as well as above-average rainfall, said Bartow.

David Dawdy, a retired hydrologist, said it’s not clear exactly why levels are back, but a major factor is likely Daly City opening in 2004 a recycled water plant, which now feeds three local golf courses that previously pumped water from the aquifer.

But challenges remain. The SFPUC must figure out another source for adding water other than Hetch Hetchy, possibly treated storm water, recycled water or Islais Creek water.

Cost is a constraint. Bartow said the 2006 budget for Lake Merced studies and sampling is about $200,000.

“The signs are largely optimistic for restoration of water levels and water quality,” said Colen. “The big glaring empty spot is the lack of a master plan.”

E-mail: efancher@examiner.com