LADWP in the Eastern Sierra Community Newsletter
It’s officially summer! As you head out to explore, remember to plan ahead and recreate responsibly. LADWP-managed lands are open and accessible to the public for a wide range of outdoor adventures including fishing, hiking, camping, rock climbing or simply spending time soaking in the sun.
Enjoy the Eastern Sierra and please recreate safely and responsibly!
Environmental Stewardship
Think Twice Before Camping Outside a Developed Campground
Dispersed Camping on City Of Los Angeles Property is considered trespassing. Staying in an established campground is the best way to protect our public lands from fires, trash, and trampling.
LADWP is part of the Eastern Sierra Sustainable Recreation Partnership, Camp Like A Pro, which aims to provide resources and alerts for camping in Inyo and Mono Counties to support watershed and land resource protection across the Eastern Sierra.
There are 12 campgrounds located on City of Los Angeles land in the Eastern Sierra, with 10 in Inyo County and 2 in Mono County.
There are also numerous campgrounds available on non-City of Los Angeles-owned lands throughout both counties.
Visit Inyo County campgrounds, to reserve a campsite for your next trip. Inyo County is responsible for running and maintaining the facilities.
- Baker Creek
- Brown’s Owens River
- Brown’s Schober Lane
- Crowley Lake South Landing
- Diaz Lake
- Glacier View
- Independence Creek
- Millpond Recreation Area
- Pleasant Valley
- Taboose Creek
- Tinemaha
- Portuguese Joe Lone Pine
To learn more about open and accessible camping and other recreational activities visit ladwp.com/EasternSierra
NEWS
LA Times: “In Owens Valley, desert lands now emitting more dust than dry lake”
LADWP’s Owens Lake dust control efforts over the past twenty years was featured in the Los Angeles Times recently when reporter Ian James covered a National Academy of Sciences, Engineering and Medicine report on Owens Lake. The report concluded that off-lake dust sources are now the main cause for PM 10 pollution levels exceeding the Environmental Protection Agency’s national air quality standards.
This finding highlights the success of LADWP’s $2.5 billion investment in work and infrastructure that has reduced lakebed emissions by over 99%.
Read about it in the LA Times and the full report here.
LADWP Releases Mono Basin Annual Operations Plan
LADWP released its Annual Operations Plan (AOP) for the Mono Basin’s 2025-2026 runoff year. The AOP sets forth how LADWP will manage water exports and stream releases in accordance with supply conditions, environmental priorities, and its amended water rights licenses. It is a critical tool for ensuring the City of Los Angeles continues to advance its environmental stewardship goals while meeting the water supply and storage needs of Los Angeles.
Temporary Road Closure of Owens Gorge Road at Long Valley for Critical Dam Safety Improvements
LADWP will carry out essential dam safety improvements to Long Valley Reservoir, requiring the road closure of Owens Gorge Rd at the Long Valley Dam Crest from June 9 to November 30, 2025.
No public access will be allowed within the closed area. Please respect all road closure signs. Owens Gorge Rd will remain open from highway 395 and Benton Crossing Rd. The public is advised to use alternative access routes in lieu of Owens Gorge Rd. Link to map.
Check for updates at ladwp.com/EasternSierra. We thank you for your cooperation.
IN THE COMMUNITY
LADWP X ICOE Career Technical Education Scholarship Winners
LADWP in partnership with the Inyo County Office of Education (ICOE) provided $5,000 Career and Technical Education Scholarships to graduating high school students in Inyo County School Districts. The winners are pursuing skilled trade careers such as welding, information technology, technical engineering, auto mechanics, and woodworking.
In Development: LADWP’s Bishop Training Facility Project
In addition to ongoing scholarships, LADWP is developing another project to further invest in the Owens Valley community. The Bishop Training Facility will fulfill multi-use purposes for training and also serve as a local construction yard for LADWP operations.
This project will positively impact the community by providing workforce development resources, such as increased local trainings. It will also provide needed indoor and outdoor space for LADWP infrastructure construction and maintenance and serve as an additional source of economic growth for the Owens Valley. Additionally, the training facility will allow public access to classroom and office spaces for community use and will also have a charging hub for electric vehicles.
Adopt-a-School Program Owens Gorge Power Plant Tour
At the end of April, during Earth Month, Owens Valley High School students joined LADWP for a tour of the Control Gorge Power Plant. Through our Adopt-A-School program we’re dedicated to teaching and showing the next generation the importance of clean energy.
Did you Know?
The Control Gorge is made up of three hydroelectric plants built in 1951, 1952, and 1953. The 2,300-foot drop from Crowley Lake to the Owens Valley enables power generation by using gravity to accelerate the water and converting that speed into energy.
JOIN THE TEAM
Job Openings
Open
Storekeeper
Water Utility Worker
Safety Engineering Associate
ELECTRIC CUSTOMERS
COOL DOWN SUMMER BILLS WITH LEVEL PAY
With Level Pay, you can avoid bill increases if you use more electricity during the summer to stay cool. This payment program spreads out higher seasonal bills into predictable monthly payments. Plus, Level Pay makes it easier to stay current on your bill, even if you have a past-due balance. You’ll pay the same amount each month, simplifying budgeting and helping you stay on track. Stress less about your electricity bill with Level Pay.
Enroll today at ladwp.com/LevelPay.
SAFETY MOMENT
JULY IS FIRE SAFETY MONTH
As we enter the summer season with hotter weather and drier conditions LADWP wants to remind you that everyone plays a vital role in preventing wildfires. Prevent wildfires by being aware of any fire restrictions in place that may affect activities like campfires and barbecues.
Discover more from Eastern Sierra Now | Local News
Subscribe to get the latest posts sent to your email.
