Santiago Oaks Alert

[Cowgirl]

FYI...all those riding into Santiago Oaks from the Irvine Park side...the Villa Park Dam released water today and the Ranger Simkins wants to alert everyone that there will be water flowing beneath the dam into the Oaks...the main fire road may be underwater for a couple weeks...you can come in thru the main entrance and get thru the park if you need to.

Here is his email from this morning:
Could you make some kind of notification at your bike store and post on any bike message board you have to advise them that the Villa Park dam operator, John Geitzen, will be releasing water (to drain it) from the dam into Santiago Oaks Regional Park. This will begin today at about 2:00 p.m. It is probable that the road crossing at the dam will be partially under water at some point and that all types of traffic will be precluded from crossing the creek. We will have to wait and see. The time period for the water to run through the park could be up to 2 weeks, maybe less.

[bighit8]

Thanks for the heads up Sheri.

[reflux]

Thanks, but I'm curiuos, how often does this happen? You know, the releasing of the water.

[EJ_92606]

weird, I thought dams only released water when it was too high. I thought we had a water shortage? Maybe the wildlife needs some water?

[2wheel_lee]

Originally Posted by EJ_92606

weird, I thought dams only released water when it was too high. I thought we had a water shortage? Maybe the wildlife needs some water?

Maybe they have some dam idea of what they need to do. I'm sure it takes a lot of dam experience to know when to dam it. I have no dam idea.


Sorry.


If they do let some water flow, it can still absorb into the ground in the lower areas downstream of the dam. I believe I've seen this area flooded a few times over the years in the summer season.

[jcampbell]

Most likely going to do scheduled repairs and maybe even Irvine Co and Irvine lake might dredge some areas to get the lake ready for... ah well... houses, Golf Courses and things we all can't afford with these 'damn' bike habits we all have?

[Chopper]

I don't think anyone is thinking about building houses right now. The market is a little light for new development.

[Trizz]

Thanks thats good to know, i frequent there often, and thats the way i go in, and i wouldnt want to climb that little section back to the paved road.

[springrubber]

Originally Posted by 2wheel_lee

Maybe they have some dam idea of what they need to do. I'm sure it takes a lot of dam experience to know when to dam it. I have no dam idea.


Sorry.

This is what we would call a god dam Reminds me of Beavis and Butthead movie Sorry.

Thanks for the heads up OP. The ranger also alerted me and a few buddies this last Saturday of a 150lb mountain lion running around Oaks as well.

[jcka]

thanks sherri

[Cowgirl]

Switchback's group ride went there last night and the area is closed right below the dam and you can't cross the trail right near those green ponds of stinky water...but if you ride across the flat parking area at the bottom of the dam heading towards the entrance of the park there is a trail with a crossing you can go thru...they said there was actually NO water running anywhere last night

[Red Ryder]

The water is running. Its about hub deep below the dam. The creek crossing beyond the flat area looks to be about as deep, but the water is too dirty to see the rocks that I know are there. There were bike tracks coming out of the water, so its passable.

Speaking of tracks, my wife pointed out some mountain lion tracks along the area across the creek bed from the stables in Irvine Park. Before I looked at the tracks, I was telling her that they are probably dog tracks. But when I saw them, theyre obviously mountain lion tracks, almost the size of my hand. Fresh tracks too. As it was dusk and getting dark, our ride was pretty much over. But is was hard to shake that feeling of being watched.