Vail Lake
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Vail Lake is a large reservoir in western Riverside County, California, located on Temecula Creek in the Santa Margarita River watershed, approximately 15 miles east of Temecula.[1]
It covers approximately 1,100 acres and has a storage capacity of 51,000 acre-feet, [2] although it currently contains about 34,000 acre-feet of water.[3]
It was created in 1948 when the owners of the Vail Ranch constructed the 132-foot high Vail Lake Dam, which has been owned and operated by the Rancho California Water District since 1978.[4]
Vail Lake is supplied by storm water runoff from Kolb, Temecula, and Wilson Creeks.[1][3] Surface water stored in the lake is used to help replenish local ground water supplies through recharge operations.[5]
The property surrounding Vail Lake is privately owned, and recreational access to the lake is privately controlled. The Butterfield Country Recreation Park was established in 1968 to provide public access to the lake and its marina, but the park was closed by its owners in 1989.[4] In 1995, a members-only resort facility was opened at the location of the former park; and in 2000, the area was re-opened to the public on an annual-fee basis. Recreational activities at Vail Lake include fishing, boating, RV and tent camping, horseback riding, mountain biking, miniature golf and swimming. [6]
[edit] References
- ^ a b Vail Lake Quadrangle California, Map. United States Geological Survey, 1953, Photorevised 1982, USGS Topographic Map, 7.5-Minute Series (Topographic), scale 1:24,000.
- ^ 2007-01-25, Reservoir Information, California Department of Water Resources, Division of Flood Management
- ^ a b O'Leary, Tim (2006-01-08), "Water pressures: District strategizes to meet demand, save", The Riverside Press Enterprise
- ^ a b Gerstbacher, Emily. Temecula History: A Chronology 1797-1993. oldtemecula.com. Retrieved on 2007-02-20.
- ^ Water Quality. Rancho California Water District. Retrieved on 2007-02-20.
- ^ July 2002, ""Vail Lake: Southern California's Boating and Fishing Secret"", SCMA Headings, Southern California Marine Association
