Inyo County Roads Reopen, New Water Year Commences

Pleasant Valley Dam Road is now fully open to the public as of October 12, 2026, including all pedestrian and fishing access. The road had been closed for roadway improvements since August 17, 2026. This reopening coincides with several seasonal changes and ongoing developments across the Eastern Sierra.

The annual water year for California commenced on October 1. This date is recognized as the start of the “hydrological year” and is essential for effective water management across the state.

Several area lakes are also seeing seasonal transitions. Klondike Lake is now officially closed for public boating for the season, following the end of summer. Crowley Lake is expected to close on October 24, 2026. Visitors seeking the latest information on Crowley Lake are advised to check CrowleyLakeFishCamp.com.

LADWP Owens Valley crews responded to the Rock Fire in Aberdeen, CA, on July 20, where critical infrastructure sustained damage. Over 150 poles were replaced, and power was restored to affected customers by the second day. This coordinated response received support from L.A. Basin power line crews, water operations, supply chain, and fleet services, reflecting a dedication to protecting the Eastern Sierra community.

Regarding the region's water supply, the Eastern Sierra snowpack measured 24% of normal in April 2026. Warmer temperatures led to an earlier start for snowmelt and runoff than usual. Despite a below-normal water supply forecast, the past year's supply successfully met close to 40 percent of the City’s annual demand. This amounted to approximately 81 billion gallons of water, enough to supply nearly 43,000 households for an entire year. Water managers closely monitor weather forecasts to make operational decisions that ensure safe, resilient, and affordable access to water for customers while simultaneously balancing environmental needs in the Eastern Sierra. The annual snow surveys are scheduled to begin on February 1.

LADWP continues its long-term efforts in dust control at Owens Lake. Over the last two decades, the department has invested more than $3 billion in EPA-approved dust control methods. These methods have successfully reduced dust emissions from Owens Lake by over 99%. Teams work diligently to ensure adequate dust mitigation is in place for the stressors and challenges that may arise during the wind season.

Environmental protection also extends to local waterways through the Tangle Free Waters program, which LADWP proudly sponsors in partnership with Mammoth Lakes Recreation and other government agencies. This program is designed to reduce and recycle monofilament fishing lines from the waterways to protect the environment. Residents and visitors can find Tangle Free Water stations nearby to help ensure fishing lines stay out of Eastern Sierra waterways.

In community engagement, LADWP participated in the City of Bishop’s Annual Hispanic Heritage Celebration held at Bishop City Park last month. The event featured a variety of musical performances, food vendors, cultural exhibitors, and community informational booths. The LADWP team engaged with attendees through community conversations, providing information about department initiatives, customer programs, and the Los Angeles Aqueduct. High voltage electric safety demonstrations were conducted in both Spanish and English.

Educational opportunities were also highlighted this past summer through the LADWP Aqueduct Student Worker Program. Students received a hands-on tour of critical dam infrastructure, including the spillway, slide gate, and the emergency diversion tunnel deep below Crowley Lake. The program provides students with valuable real-world field and administrative experience across the Eastern Sierra, preparing them for future careers.

LADWP is actively recruiting for several positions within its workforce of over 12,000 employees, serving more than four million Los Angeles residents. These opportunities include Electric Distribution Mechanic Journey-Level and Electric Distribution Mechanic Trainee roles, with application periods from May 25, 2026, to November 27, 2026. A Mechanical Helper position is also open for applications from October 2, 2026, to October 15, 2026. More information about open and upcoming jobs can be found at LADWP.com/EasternSierra, following a recent Owens Valley Virtual Job Fair.

For energy conservation, customers are reminded that appliances with a clock or “instant on” setting are considered “Energy Vampires” because they use electricity continuously. Unplugging non-essential appliances and electronics, such as computers, phone chargers, and televisions, when not in use is recommended. Using an advanced power strip to automatically turn off idle equipment is also a beneficial practice.

Regarding public safety, particularly during wind season, customers are advised to stay away from downed wires. Wind gusts can cause damage to trees and power lines, leading to outages. It is crucial to never touch a downed or dangling wire, or anyone or anything in contact with it, and always assume a downed wire is energized. Any downed wires should be reported immediately by calling 911. Other outages or hazards can be reported by dialing 1 (800) 992-8331 during business hours (Monday-Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.) or (833)325-2397 after hours.