In Spring of 2026, the California Aqueduct saw significantly lower water levels after officials lowered water levels to conduct repairs on the aqueduct.
For those who don’t know, the California Aqueduct is a piece of infastructure managed by the State Water Project to supply water to various parts of California
Typically, these concrete canals are full of flowing water with a strong and alternating current that carry water thoroughout the state. The water in the canal can range from 14 to over 30 feet deep. Depending on the water needs of California OR the needs for repairs, the water levels may occasionaly fluctate.
If you live within the high desert regions, you may often find yourself driving across these canals or even enjoying recreational activities such as hiking or fishing. While swimming and other similar activities are STRICTLY prohibited due to the dangerous, constantly changing current… the aqueduct itself attracts a significant number of locals most especially fisherman who try their luck for the occasional bass or catfish.
Which is why you could imagine my concern this past spring of 2026, when I visited a section of the aqueduct that runs through Summit Valley to report on what I considered some of the lowest water levels I had seen in years and when I looked into the partially empty canal… I saw a what looked like a MORTAR!
After this discovery, I left the area and called 911. San Bernardino County Sheriff responded quickly and dispatched Deputies and Bomb / Arson. That same day, the Sheriff’s department was already responding to another bomb / arson call in Apple Valley but still had the area secured quickly, and officials did what appeared to be a controlled detonation in the aqueduct based off the scorch marks in this canal.
When unexploded ordinance has the risk of being too unstable for officials to safely move, they sometimes have to resort to a controlled detonation like in this scenario. A few days after this controlled detonation, the aqueduct levels came back to normal.
Before the water levels rose back up in the aqueduct, I obtained a few pictures of the various areas that we often do not get to see exposed when the Aqueduct is at its normal capacity. This included some inside looks of the dam / siphon, pipes, fully exposed rescue ladders and more. I also took the chance to snap some pictures of the wooden platforms being used to assist in the construction of a new bridge being built over the Aqueduct near 11th and Ranchero.
These pictures were taken in Spring of 2026. If you visit the California Aqueduct today, you will find the water levels much higher and much more active. If you decide to visit the Aqueduct, please be careful when near the water and avoid swimming or exploring within the canal as the water is deep with a fast moving current, and the sides of the canal are steep and slippery making it hard to escape without assistance or rescue.
