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December 19
1970 - Snow day in Santa Clarita Valley [photos]
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[KHTS] – The ongoing drought in California is affecting irrigation, agriculture, fire season and now, summer recreation.

castaic-lake-swim-beaches-remain-closed-summer-due-droughtCastaic Lake State Recreation Area will not open their swim beaches this year, because receding water levels have caused unsafe conditions, Los Angeles County Department of Park and Recreation officials announced Thursday.

Typically, the Castaic Lake swim beaches are open Thursday through Sunday between the end of May and beginning of September.

“As families begin planning for summer recreation, it is important that they be able to make informed choices,” said Parks and Recreation Director Russ Guiney. “Castaic Lake remains a wonderful place to visit, with a variety of options for fun, healthy recreation–but the state drought emergency is affecting many aspects of life in California, and we will not compromise on matters of safety. We encourage people to visit this scenic area for the many other recreational opportunities it provides.”

Other activities, like kayaking, float tube fishing and stand-up paddleboarding are not expected to be affected by the drought, but if water levels continue to fall, motorized boating might not be allowed.

“We will be closely monitoring drought conditions as they relate to aquatic recreation,” said Lori Bennett, Castaic Lake superintendent. “We will be making constant safety evaluations, as part of our commitment to ensuring that all who visit can have confidence that their families will have a safe and fun experience at Castaic Lake State Recreation Area.”

Patrons can call 661-257-4050 for the latest information on conditions at Castaic Lake.

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65 Comments

  1. I wonder if they’ll mind us letting the pups swim….

  2. I’d be bummed and make some comment about artificial water levels and stuff, but at the end of the day, who actually swims in that lake? Haha

  3. Fear not, you’re elected government officials are here to protect j00 like Superheros. lmao

  4. That’s okay. We have season passes to Hurricane Harbor so that’ll be our way to keep cool this summer.

  5. Lety Garcia says:

    Somebody make it rain….

  6. We went yr before last to swim and it was disgusting so that’s fine with us. Wouldn’t let my little ones toes touch that water. There were big poop droppings all along the shoreline. The water was rising up over it ugh nasty!

  7. The water at the swim beach is disgusting anyway. Who wants to swim in there? I’ll take a pool any day. Plus the pool is free and I don’t have to pay to park.

  8. Em Are says:

    The new sports complex around the corner is free & clean water. ;)

  9. That’s terrible thanks for letting me know

  10. Brandi Howse says:

    does that mean no Jr. Life guards this year :(

  11. Brian Bell says:

    If you saw the beaches, you wouldn’t want to swim. I don’t think I’ve ever seen the lower lake as low as it is.

  12. Ryan Moreno says:

    people will just run their hoses instead. that was a stupid idea

  13. Megan Champs says:

    Myke Hawke Shanell Roberts :'(

  14. Krystle Sabio I guess taking Esmay to the beach is out…

  15. Wonderful news that means all those dirty people won’t be there trashing the place

  16. They need to clean that lower lake up with more police presence. I wouldn’t bring my family there if it was free.

  17. I went there a lot when I was a child. My dad LOVED to just float on his back for hours! The lake was brand new then, and one could see the bottom, 6 feet or more down. We went in the crisp morning time, and we could hear the soft waves as they broke on the beach. We had the lake to ourselves. I think I prefer to keep my memories of it that way, instead of the way it sounds in the comments with POOP all over! That is a disgusting commentary on the type of people that go there now!

  18. what about fishing ???

  19. what about fishing ???

  20. Guess those people are going to have to find another place to bathe themselves.
    I miss the lake how it was when I was a kid.

  21. Look you tax payer who fund every aspect of the US sate and local govenrments! Stay out of Castaic Lake. Stay out of the Ridge Route. Stay out of the Angeles National Forest north of Castaic. Just pay your taxes and shut the f#@k up.

  22. I remember swimming there as a kid in the late 80’s…sad but it is better to be safe than sorry.

  23. Sasha Moore says:

    Marty Moore did you see this?!

  24. Brian Smith says:

    I thought it’s been closed for like 15 years.

  25. Marty Moore says:

    This is the lower lake what they call the lagoon, this is not the large lake up above where the dam is.

  26. Maybe the City of Santa Clarita needs the water police to monitor all the wasted Sprinkler systems around town that love to water the air, street, everything but the plants. What a shame.

  27. Where did the water in the manmade lake come from in the first place? If you dont replenish it it will evaporate esp since we are in the desert and it doesnt rain much!

  28. Lee Ross says:

    Maybe people will actually start figuring out were in a drought. Watering in mid day? Washing your car at high noon? Running water for absolutely no reason? Man, I lived through the droughts of the 70’s. We got ticketed for watering the lawn more than 3times a week. And you absolutely couldn’t water your lawn til after nightfall. It was a 500$ fine back then!

  29. Zoe Arroyo says:

    Whaaaaaat, lame!!!!

  30. They’ve been doing all sorts of work to the lower lake. The swim beaches have been closed for a while.

  31. Jason Towers says:

    People still swim in that cesspool?

  32. I guess putting miles on

  33. I thought they closed that place permanently because in documented workers would use the lake as a toilet and throw baby diapers in there.

  34. Disgusting lake anyway

  35. All Boats Must WHAT We fish there not swim. Jill you didn’t get the bottom of the sign.

  36. Cindy Daggon says:

    So sad! That use to be such a fun place to go when I was a teenager. Too bad

  37. DL Thompson says:

    so sad for everyone who enjoyed it

  38. This is the tyranny of parasitic politicians. Have you noticed that they still are getting paid? Still have bloated staffs? Still have ALL OF THEIR “EXTRAS”… They then publicly lament in an effort to steal more of the wealth of the citizens. In that way they can spend more and enhance their sense of POWER over our lives; lives which have fewer joys because we are ROBBED BY THOSE THIEVING PARASITES! It is long past time to GROW UP, WAKE UP, and fire most of the parasites; from all so-called PARTIES.

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