The Decline and Fall of Lake San Antonio

Lake San Antonio, California, is where we had our big family-and-friends campout for many years. It (and nearby Lake Nacimiento) have been devastated by the prolonged drought in California, to the point where the park will essentially be shut down due to nobody having a reason to visit, and so no fees providing for any sort of support staff.

'As for what will become of above-ground services? That’s a little bit more murky. Chiulos said the worst-case scenario would be closing Lake San Antonio, keeping “someone out there to make sure that the buildings don’t fall down,” and redirecting all other staff to Nacimiento. "What we’re really trying to do is hold down the fort,” said Tom Shepherd, deputy chief ranger for the lakes. […] While cuts wouldn’t take effect until October, both Shepherd and Bill Capps worry what next summer will bring if it ever rains again and people once again flock to the lake. Because park rangers are law enforcement personnel, an extensive process is required for their hiring. Background checks and training take about a year, which will mean significant lag time between jobs being filled and boots hitting the ground. “We’re hoping that the board recognizes that it will rain again and retention of staff is important, and that we still need to maintain these parks, even when the visitors aren’t here,” Shepherd said.'

Sad.

Earlier drought news: https://hill-kleerup.org/blog/2014/02/05/lake-san-antonio.html
Happier (or more fluid) days: https://hill-kleerup.org/blog/2011/06/27/lake-san-antonio-in-the-morning.html

(h/t +Mary Oswell)