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Articles Tagged With ‘Lopez Lake’




SLO County wins another battle in the war over Lopez Lake water

Written on 3 Jul, 2026 in Featured, Uncovered SLO | 7 comments

By KAREN VELIE San Luis Obispo County successfully stopped another attempt to increase the amount of of water it releases from the Lopez Lake Dam each year with a goal of protecting threatened steelhead trout through an emergency order. The... (Continue reading)

Man drowns at Lopez Lake in San Luis Obispo County

Written on 1 Jul, 2026 in Daily Briefs, Featured | 3 comments

By KAREN VELIE A 20-year-old man died while swimming in Lopez Lake on Tuesday afternoon. Shortly after 4 p.m., a caller reported a swimmer in distress. A 20-year-old man had been swimming with friends when he appeared to struggle and... (Continue reading)

Arroyo Grande seeks to purchase state water amid legal issues

Written on 8 Jun, 2026 in Featured, Uncovered SLO | 5 comments

By KAREN VELIE Amid uncertainty over the Lopez Lake water supply, the Arroyo Grande City Council is seeking to purchase state water, but it will take a vote of the people. The Arroyo Grande City Council is scheduled on Tuesday... (Continue reading)

Injured person airlifted after fall near Lopez Lake

Written on 26 May, 2026 in Daily Briefs, Featured | One comment

By JOSH FRIEDMAN A helicopter airlifted a person who fell and suffered injuries near Lopez Lake Monday evening. Shortly before 6 p.m., fire personnel responded to a reported fall near Lopez Lake Drive. Due to the location of the incident,... (Continue reading)

Arroyo Grande faces a water crisis, Paulding faces a conflict

Written on 12 May, 2026 in Featured, Opinion | 19 comments

OPINION by CISSIE PACE San Luis Obispo County Supervisor Jimmy Paulding says he opposes the lawsuits. So why has he said so little about them publicly? South County faces two major legal threats that could reshape its future. One targets... (Continue reading)

Body of man who drowned recovered at Lopez Lake

Written on 23 Mar, 2026 in Daily Briefs, Featured | 6 comments

By KAREN VELIE The San Luis Obispo County Sheriff’s Dive Team on Monday recovered the body of a 25-year-old man who drowned at Lopez Lake on Sunday afternoon. The victim has been identified as Sergio MendiolaGarcia, 25, of Santa Maria.... (Continue reading)

Did language barrier, late reporting hamper Lopez Lake water rescue?

Written on 23 Mar, 2026 in Featured, Uncovered SLO | 11 comments

By KAREN VELIE A search to recover the body of a 25-year-old man who is suspected of drowning Sunday at Lopez Lake continues on Monday with the San Luis Obispo County Sheriff taking the lead in the case. Shortly after... (Continue reading)

Order to release more water from Lopez Lake vacated, SLO County wins appeal

Written on 4 Dec, 2025 in Featured, Uncovered SLO | 11 comments

By KAREN VELIE The 9th Circuit Court of Appeals on Wednesday vacated a court order to release more water from Lopez Lake to support steelhead trout migration because of the rulings possible impacts on the California red-legged frog and tidewater... (Continue reading)

SLO County battles order to release Lopez Lake water for fish

Written on 4 Feb, 2025 in Featured, Uncovered SLO | 18 comments

By KAREN VELIE San Luis Obispo County is appealing a court order to release more water from Lopez Lake to support fish migration because of the rulings impact on the county’s water supply. U.S. District Judge Sherilyn Peace Garnett in... (Continue reading)

Lopez Lake overflows for first time in 25 years

Written on 23 Mar, 2023 in Daily Briefs, Featured | 3 comments

By JOSH FRIEDMAN Lopez Lake reached 100% capacity Thursday morning, and water began flowing down the lake’s spillway for the first time in 25 years, according to the San Luis Obispo County Office of Emergency Services. Earlier this week, officials... (Continue reading)