BY MIKE STEVENS
PIRU – A suspension to all watercraft activities at Lake Piru has been lifted as a result of recent rains that brought the water level back up to where boating is sustainable and safe. The closure was “indefinite” when it was announced on October 11, and anglers are stoked to get boater access after a shut down that just lasted a month.
Lake officials said Piru was reopened to all boating and watercraft as of November 18, and that the main launch is equipped with two courtesy docks. Rental boats are not available yet.
Back in October, it was a planned, annual release of Lake Piru’s water that brought it down to a level that was not able to support boating of any kind.
According to lake officials, the amount of water in the lake will decrease from 39,000 acre feet (13 billion gallons) to 15,000 acre feet.
A release from Lake Piru Recreation Area read, “United Water’s release from Lake Piru Reservoir starts September 14, and that means time is running out to enjoy all your favorite lake activities. Much of the released water will recharge the Piru, Fillmore, and Santa Paula groundwater basins as it flows through lower Piru Creek and the Santa Clara River to the Freeman Diversion, and from there to the Saticoy Groundwater Recharge Facility. Another portion is sent directly to farms on the Oxnard Plain, reducing the demand for groundwater pumping and helping local growers plant strawberry seedlings and other crops during this critical time. This release serves agricultural needs, recharges groundwater, and supports river ecosystems during a normally dry season.”
This “annual water recharge release” has ended for 2025, so it’s safe to assume recreational activities at Lake Piru will be at least available until fall of 2026.
