Woodward Reservoir prohibits swimming after Labor Day. Here’s when you can return to the water

Swimmers who enjoy Woodward Reservoir will have to find a different place to cool down after Labor Day. Starting Sept. 3, the South San Joaquin Irrigation District will prohibit bodily contact with the water at the park north of Oakdale.

What does this mean for recreational water enthusiasts? No swimming, wading, jet skis, kayaking or even pulling an inflatable device from a boat.

Boating and other activities that do not cause people to touch the water are allowed. The notice also extends to pets, as dogs are not allowed to wade or swim.

This annual measure is implemented to ensure the reservoir complies with state water restrictions to preserve it as a drinking water source. In a 2018 Bee story , manager Cheryl Jackson said, “Woodward has two intakes — one by the inlet, the other by the dam. This time of year, they (SSJID) pull from the inlet for their drinking water facility, so they give us 30 days’ notice. Whatever body of water they’re pulling from has to have no bodily contact for 30 days.”

Stanislaus County Director of Parks and Recreation Tera Chumley said the restriction has nothing to do with water quality or cleanliness as it affects swimmers. She said Modesto Reservoir also has restrictions governed by the Modesto Irrigation District that do allow body-to-water contact year-round but do not allow dogs.

The restrictions at Woodward are regular practice, usually begun after Labor Day and lifted in April. While it still may be hot in the Valley after Labor Day, other water sources including Modesto Reservoir and Tuolumne County’s Lake Tulloch and Pinecrest Lake remain open for swimming with no plans to close at this time.

For more information, visit www.stancountyparks.com/woodward-reservoir .