Oxnard, CA (September 15, 2025) — United Water Conservation District has started its 2025 Fall conservation release from Lake Piru Reservoir. This planned release began on September 15 and will run through mid-November, marking a seasonal transition for both recreation and regional water management.
“This annual release is vital to balancing water supply needs for people, agriculture, and the environment,” said UWCD General Manager Mauricio Guardado. “It is also a reminder that Lake Piru’s purpose goes beyond recreation, as the reservoir represents a critical element of our core water management strategy.”
This release supports multiple regional needs:
- Recharges groundwater basins along Piru Creek and Santa Clara River in Piru, Fillmore, and Santa Paula
- Delivers surface water to farms on the Oxnard Plain and Pleasant Valley, reducing reliance on groundwater pumping during the planting season for key regional crops
With the reservoir’s storage dropping from 39,000 to 15,000 acre-feet, a volume of roughly 24,000 AF or 8 billion gallons of water will be released for beneficial use. As a result, lake access will change significantly in the coming weeks.
“While Lake Piru Reservoir may look different in the weeks ahead, this release is doing important work below the surface; recharging our groundwater and helping local farms,” added UWCD Assistant General Manager Maryam Bral.
Recreational boating will remain open through mid-October, but boaters should expect changing conditions as the marina is repositioned, and boat ramps are cleared of mud and silt. The Juan Fernandez Swim Beach is now closed for the remainder of the year due to the lower water levels. Visitors are encouraged to check current conditions at ExploreLakePiru.com.
To learn more about United Water’s water management efforts, visit unitedwater.org.