Phoenix Lake Improvements

Sonora, CA — Plans to improve Phoenix Lake will be laid out by the Tuolumne Utilities District later this week.

T.U.D. received a $100,000 grant from the Sierra Nevada Conservancy to help develop a Phoenix Lake Preservation and Restoration Plan, and conceptual aspects of the plan will be discussed at a public meeting this Thursday afternoon.

The plan addresses lake restoration (including a dredging plan), water quality improvements, wetland habitat improvements, public access and fire management. T.U.D. reports that, ultimately, the plan will be used to prepare an engineered project design, environmental review, and to help secure construction grant funding.

Phoenix Lake is the primary drinking water source for Sonora, Jamestown, Scenic View and Mono Village. T.U.D. is concerned about Phoenix Lake, as its storage capacity has dropped by nearly a third over the past 100 years.

Thursday’s meeting begins at 3pm the in T.U.D. meeting room. It will be follwed by an educational meeting at 6pm regarding proper land use practices for property owners adjacent to Phoenix Lake.