Water is beinig lowered in the Able Canal at the dead end of Maple Ave., just off E. Third St. To the bottom right, you can see where water is entering the east side of the canal causing the canal upstream to drop three feet which have brought calls the the East County Water Control District. Critical weir work is being done at the site and the water lowering had to be done, workers on the scene said Tuesday. Photo by Mel Toadvine

Residents living downstream from the Maple Ave. end of street canal should not worry because the water level has fallen three feet. That was the word today from David Lindsay, executive director for the East County Water District, who said workers are at the site preparing for the construction of the three critical weirs.

Drivers along East Third Street, just off of Richmond Ave. can see the heavy equipment from the street. The end of Maple driving south is a dead end because of the Abel Canal.

Lindsay said there had been some phone calls from residents living east and south of the Maple Street work site, where the water has always been at least three feet higher. They said they were noticing that the water level is falling.

A worker on the scene said they were draining water through a pipe to the west side where the water level has been maintained to be lower. He said before work can begin the water levels must be equal or else mud would start filling parts of the canal.

Linday said the water level may decrease a few more inches yet. It would only change if there were significant rains over the next few weeks. The rainy season doesn’t typically begin until around May and June.

“We just thought we should get the news out Tuesday morning as those living on the canal will see a significant drop in the water level.

The contractor for the project is Thomas Marine Construction. The work could last for up to six weeks, a worker said.