The unusually high rainfall in San Diego County has resulted in Lake Poway reaching capacity. There is no danger to the Lake Poway Dam Structure, and there is no threat to life. Based on the uncertainty of this situation and in the interest of public safety, the Lake Poway hiking trails and Blue Sky Ecological Reserve will be closed until further notice. From December 17 to December 22, 4.2 inches of rain have been measured at Lake Poway, whereas a typical year is about 10 inches. The Lake is also receiving water from the region's natural watershed runoff at a rate of 45,000 gallons per minute. As of December 22, the water level has increased to an elevation of approximately one foot below the concrete spillway of the dam. The spillway is designed to divert excess water to relieve this type of flow. If the rate and amount of water coming into Lake Poway continues or increases, the City estimates water will begin to flow over the concrete spillway the night of December 22. If water flows over the spillway, it will enter the canyon north of Lake Poway Dam and travel through the low-lying natural creek beds and canyon of Blue Sky Ecological Reserve, continue under Old Coach Road in the north of Poway, travel along Thompson Creek adjacent to the Maderas Golf Course, and ultimately into Lake Hodges in the City of San Diego. The Lake was stocked on Wednesday, December 22 with 1,500 pounds of rainbow trout and the next stock will be on Wednesday, December 29 with another 1,500 pounds. The Lake is generally stocked every two weeks throughout the season. Please check our website for the most up-to-date fishing conditions and stocking dates at www.poway.org/lakepoway. Lake Poway will be closed on Thursday, December 23 due to weather conditions. The Lake will re-open on Friday, December 24 and will be open on Sunday, December 26. The Lake will also be closed on Saturday, December 25 for the holiday.