Helix Water District launches 2023 Lake Jennings Spring Photo Contest

Helix Water District launched its 13th annual Lake Jennings Spring Photo Contest and is awarding cash prizes up to $150 to adults and kids for the best photos of the lake’s recreational activities, scenery and wildlife.

The contest seeks engaging photos highlighting the beauty and fun recreational activities available at Lake Jennings. Finalists and other entries are shared across the district’s printed and digital materials and help promote Lake Jennings with the local community.

“With the recent rains, Lake Jennings is teeming with life and covered in blossoms. Right now is a perfect time to experience and photograph the lake,” said Lake Recreation Manager Kira McArthur. “We want to encourage you to enter the contest so that we can see the fun and beauty of the lake from your perspective.”

Submissions can capture any aspect of the lake, including photos of people enjoying recreational activities like fishing, camping and hiking. Participants can also submit scenery photos, including some of Lake Jennings’s many vistas, wildlife and wildflowers.

The contest offers participants a free day pass to explore and photograph this local East County gem. Before exploring the lake, participants should check in with campground or bait shop staff to receive their wristbands. Visit lakejennings.org for up-to-date information on hours and access.

The district will award monetary prizes in two divisions, adult and youth. First-place winners in each division will receive $150, second-place winners will receive $100 and third-place winners will receive $50. The district will award contest winners at a public board meeting this summer.

A panel of Helix Water District staff will judge the photos based on visual appeal, technical quality and creativity.

Entering the contest is easy.

Upload photos at hwd.fyi/LJphoto and complete the online form. Entries are due online by 11:59 p.m. on Wednesday, May 31. There is a limit of three photo submissions per photographer, and photos may not contain watermarks. The complete set of rules and entry and model release forms are available at hwd.fyi/LJphoto.

Located just minutes away in Lakeside, Lake Jennings is a scenic reservoir with clear water, wooded shorelines, meandering trails and serene mountain views. It also boasts incredible fishing with catfish in the warmer months and trout in the early spring and winter. Recreation activities at Lake Jennings include camping, hiking and boat rentals, including powerboats, kayaks and new see-thru krystal kanoes.

Lake Jennings is one of two reservoirs that Helix Water District owns.

Helix Water District provides water treatment and distribution to over 277,000 people in the cities of El Cajon, La Mesa and Lemon Grove, the community of Spring Valley and areas of Lakeside — east of downtown San Diego. Helix also provides treated water to neighboring Padre Dam, Otay and Lakeside water districts.

Photos by Jonathan Bradley and John Wozny

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