Lake Elsinore Awarded $8M In Federal Funding To Improve Lake Water Quality

LAKE ELSINORE, CA — Lake Elsinore has been awarded $8 million in federal funding to support the health of its historic lake.

The body of water, which is Riverside County's only natural freshwater lake, has been contaminated by toxic algal growth and runoff for decades.

This latest injection of funding would support the Lake Elsinore Water Quality Project, which was born out of the Fiscal Year 2026 Transportation and Housing and Urban Development Appropriations Bill, which was approved by a federal committee last week.

The bill is now moving to the House of Representatives for consideration.

“We are incredibly grateful for the $8 million in federal funding included in the FY26 Transportation and Housing and Urban Development Appropriations Bill for the Lake Elsinore Water Quality Project,” said Mayor Brian Tisdale. “We extend our sincere gratitude to Congressman Calvert for his steadfast support and leadership in championing the health and sustainability of our region’s only natural freshwater lake.”

The project would advance infrastructure and ecological developments that would improve the long-term health, vitality and safety of the lake, the city said.

The funding is also slated to help address threatened wildlife habitats and bolster recreational access for both residents and visitors.

“Our community has made lake restoration and resilience a top priority,” Tisdale said. “This investment marks a major step forward in ensuring Lake Elsinore remains a vibrant and thriving natural asset for generations to come.”

The news comes as the Santa Ana Water Board just adopted stricter limits on pollution in the hopes of curbing harmful algae blooms in Lake Elsinore and Canyon Lake.

“This significant step reflects our commitment to improve water quality and protect the beneficial uses of these vital waterbodies in the San Jacinto River watershed,” said regional board Chair Kristine Murray.

For decades, algae blooms have bedeviled experts and officials, who have been working to limit the spread of toxic algal growth. These booms have been known to kill marine life by limiting oxygen in the environment.

Such algae is also harmful to humans and has forced Riverside County to post advisories, advising the public to stay out of areas where blooms are present.

READ MORE: To Save Lake Elsinore, Officials Crack Down on Algae-Causing Pollution