San Gabriel Mountain dams brace for a deluge

Romero and his assistant, Jose Aguilar, cruise along the base of the “bathtub ring” that encircles the San Gabriel Reservoir, which is at its lowest level in nine years.   (Don Bartletti / Los Angeles Times)

Looking toward the San Gabriel River from East Fork Road north of Azuza, the San Gabriel Reservoir can be seen in the distance, where it has receded more than a mile. Southern California’s driest rainy season in history has reduced much of the lake to a sandy expanse.  (Don Bartletti / Los Angeles Times)

The white line across Morris Dam on the San Gabriel River near Azuza shows just how far the water level has dropped during the recent period of below-normal rainfall.   (Don Bartletti / Los Angeles Times)

From an inspection boat, San Gabriel Dam operators Herbert Romero, right, and Jose Aguilar use a measuring tape to determine the depth of San Gabriel Reservoir near the dam: 50 feet.  (Don Bartletti / Los Angeles Times)

Adam Walden, right, senior civil engineer with Los Angeles County’s public works department, stands above an open valve on Morris Dam near Azusa. Some water is being released into the San Gabriel River for use downstream. “I’ve never seen it this low,” said dam operator Jim McGowan.   (Don Bartletti / Los Angeles Times)