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San Vicente Reservoir Closing Next Week

Beginning next Tuesday, San Diego's San Vicente Reservoir will be closed to all recreational use. That's because officials are starting a project to increase water storage. KPBS Reporter Ed Joyce has

San Vicente Reservoir Closing Next Week

Beginning next Tuesday, San Diego's San Vicente Reservoir will be closed to all recreational use. That's because officials are starting a project to increase water storage. KPBS Reporter Ed Joyce has details.

The city of San Diego-owned reservoir will be closed for at least five years - which means no water skiing, wake boarding, boating or fishing.

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The San Diego County Water Authority is starting a project to raise the dam.

Water Authority Board Chair Fern Steiner says the dam raise is part of a billion-dollar effort to provide water for emergencies.

Steiner: We're looking to make sure that should we have a catastrophic event in San Diego that we're able to supply water to the residents of San Diego County - to our region.

Construction is expected to take about four years. 

Refilling the reservoir after construction will take another two to five years.

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Steiner says the project is the largest of its kind in the U.S.

The reservoir will reopen to recreation sometime between 2014 and 2017, once the water level reaches a new boat launch ramp.

Ed Joyce, KPBS News.