Metropolitan names structure at Diamond Valley Lake after attorney key to reservoir’s construction

HEMET - A key facility at Southern California's largest reservoir, Diamond Valley Lake, was dedicated today in honor of a man who was instrumental in getting the reservoir built - former Metropolitan General Counsel N. Gregory Taylor.

Current and former water leaders from across Southern California gathered to recognize Taylor's legacy during a ceremony to name the Inlet/Outlet Tower, which controls the flow of water into and out of the reservoir, in his honor.

Taylor, who passed away in 2023, used his visionary leadership and guidance to secure the necessary approvals for the reservoir's construction, ensuring Southern California has reliable water supplies through drought, emergencies and other challenges.

"Diamond Valley Lake is the cornerstone of the water security that Metropolitan provides communities across Southern California, and it would not have been built without the vision and dedication of Gregory Taylor," Metropolitan board Chair Adán Ortega, Jr. said.

Taylor served as Metropolitan's general counsel from 1993 until his retirement in 2000. During that time, he played a central role in creating programs to offset environmental impacts from the construction of DVL, including the purchase of 3,700 acres for the Santa Rosa Plateau Ecological Reserve. The reserve now protects some of the most sensitive and productive natural habitat remaining in Southern California, including rare vernal pools, Engelmann oak woodlands and various endangered species.

Taylor also led Metropolitan's acquisition of 2,500 acres for the Shipley Reserve, connecting DVL and Lake Skinner and part of the Southwestern Riverside County Multi-Species Reserve. The reserve marked California's first agreement for comprehensive, multi-species protection as opposed to approaches focusing on a single species at a time - an innovative approach embraced and advanced by Taylor.

"Because of Greg's work and environmental stewardship, construction of DVL had the support of the environmental community," Metropolitan General Manger Deven Upadhyay said. "That paved the way for us to build this reservoir, a lifeline during drought years for the communities we serve. We are a more resilient agency and region because of Greg's leadership."

When DVL was completed in 2000, it doubled Metropolitan's surface water storage capacity, with the ability to store more than 800,000 acre-feet of water. An acre-foot of water meets the annual needs of three average Southern California households. This water not only provides critical reliability as the state swings from wet years to dry, it also helps ensure Southern California has water in the event of an earthquake or other emergency cuts off water supplies imported from outside the region.

Today the reservoir is about 95% full. Thanks to this and other surface and groundwater storage, Metropolitan is on track to end the calendar year with a record 3.9 million acre-feet of water in storage.

Earlier in his career, Taylor worked on environmental and natural resources cases in the California Attorney General's office, contributing to major land acquisitions for the Lake Tahoe Conservancy and Santa Monica Mountains Conservancy.

The 270-foot Inlet/Outlet Tower now bearing his name is the heart of Diamond Valley Lake, the gateway through which water flows in during times of abundance and out during times of drought.

"The structure is both a symbol and a safeguard, a reminder that the foresight and decisions of Gregory Taylor, and leaders like him, are what protects the water reliability that Metropolitan delivers for millions of people," Metropolitan board Director Tony Fellow said."

The Metropolitan Water District of Southern California is a state-established cooperative that, along with its 26 cities and retail suppliers, provides water for 19 million people in six counties. The district imports water from the Colorado River and Northern California to supplement local supplies, and helps its members to develop increased water conservation, recycling, storage and other resource-management programs.