Date:
September 1, 2026
15
To:
Board of Supervisors
Title
Increasing Recreation Access and Opportunities at the El Capitan Reservoir by Funding the Boat Launch Ramp Extension (Districts: All)
End
Overview
On November 17, 2021 (7), the Board of Supervisors (Board) directed staff to explore partnerships with regional reservoir operators and provide County of San Diego (County) support to expand recreational programs and access at reservoirs throughout San Diego County. On March 15, 2023 (4), the Board approved additional actions to pursue funding opportunities and partnerships that would improve recreational access at regional reservoirs, including El Capitan Reservoir. Most recently, on October 1, 2025 (5), the Board directed staff to evaluate opportunities to enhance recreational conditions at El Capitan Reservoir, including exploring a partnership with the City of San Diego and identifying facility improvements that would expand public access. As part of this action, the Board approved allocating $2.4 million towards expanded hours and related staffing costs or for potential facility improvements at El Capitan Reservoir.
In response to the Board's direction, County staff prepared a report evaluating the feasibility of a County partnership with the City of San Diego, including a potential pilot project for the County to operate and maintain El Capitan Reservoir and explore potential service enhancements and facility improvements. Both staff from the City of San Diego and representatives of City of San Diego employees determined that transferring recreational operations was not feasible. However, County and City staff jointly identified several capital improvement projects to enhance recreational access at El Capitan Reservoir. Following the County's report, the City developed and provided its own preliminary engineering scope of work for extending the existing boat launch ramp, further refining one of the improvement options identified through the ...
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