Dam Closed for $22-Million Restoration

The arrival of warm weather has people thinking of visiting one of the Antelope Valley’s most popular water recreation spots--the Littlerock Dam.

Problem is, the dam and its recreation area are closed to the public and will remain so for up to a year pending completion of a $22-million restoration project aimed at strengthening the dam and nearly doubling its water storage capacity. The work, which began more than 10 months ago, will also result in improved recreational amenities at the dam.

Shawn Lawler, an Angeles National Forest interpretive specialist, said the Forest Service is getting a lot of calls from people wanting to go to the dam. It is expected that the 70-year-old dam and recreation area will be open by next spring.

For now, all that remains open is an off-road vehicle area and campground near the reservoir. Access is limited to those areas.

The recreation area is being kept closed during the restoration work because of health and safety concerns, Lawler said.

Additional information is available from the Valyermo Ranger District at (805) 944-2187.