State presents Perris Lake emergency‑release channel project; construction under way

The City of Perris received an update Jan. 14 from the California Department of Water Resources (DWR) on an emergency release facility project at Perris Lake that will convey water safely to the Perris Valley Channel in the event of a dam release or large runoff event.

DWR project manager David Sarkisian told the council the project is primarily a public‑safety measure: it builds levees plus a trapezoidal conveyance channel and a drop structure to move water from the lake outlet to the Perris Valley Channel while protecting downstream structures and fairgrounds activities. “This is a very important public safety project for the department,” Sarkisian said during his presentation.

Key details reported to the council: - Construction began in December 2024 and is expected to last roughly 2½ years, with substantial completion targeted for mid‑2027. - The contract includes timing and sequencing provisions to avoid major impacts to the fairgrounds’ events season (October) and to provide advance notice to the city when out‑of‑hours work is proposed. Normal work hours are Monday–Friday, 7 a.m. to 3:30 p.m.; work on identified holidays is prohibited, and any off‑hour work requires a minimum 72‑hour notice. - The project includes two levees (South and West), a box culvert beneath Fairway, intersection work and a bridge underpass at Paris Drive and Evans Road, widened travel lanes and pedestrian walkways and landscaping along Ramona Expressway. - Temporary lane shifts and short‑term lane closures will be required; Fairway will be temporarily closed for culvert installation but continuous fairgrounds access will be maintained via Lake Perris Drive. - Haul routes and access points are restricted and will be controlled with flaggers; most hauling will occur within the state recreation area and the channel footprint. Some Ramona access points are limited to smaller vehicles. - DWR has conducted outreach — a December mailing and flyers within a roughly 5,000‑foot radius — and will use signage with a QR code and news releases to inform residents.

City staff and council members asked about coordination with city events and traffic flow; Sarkisian said DWR and its contractor will coordinate closely with the city, providing dates and times for any requested off‑hour work so the city can evaluate impacts on fairgrounds activities. John Porcasimi, Perris city engineer, introduced the item and framed the project as a regional safety improvement tied to the Riverside County Perris Valley master drainage plan.

The presentation was informational; council did not take action. The state and its contractor will continue to coordinate construction logistics and public outreach with the City of Perris during construction.