Los Peñasquitos Lagoon mouth full again

The entrance of the Los Peñasquitos Lagoon has silted shut again. The recent high winter surf along with high spring tides moved in a large sand bar and the lagoon is no longer emptying into the sea.

Runoff from the recent winter storm, along with high tide surges from the ocean, have filled up the lagoon in the past week.

Los Peñasquitos Lagoon Foundation director Mike Hastings is currently working with federal, state, and city agencies to plan and execute this season’s lagoon-mouth dredging, which is anticipated to be done in early to mid April if the process goes smoothly. The process involves getting permits, testing of the sand to be moved, doing surveys for endangered and threatened species, establishing funding sources, and organizing heavy equipment and manpower.

The county vector control department has been notified of the rising water in the lagoon and is monitoring the mosquito population to determine if any countermeasures are warranted.