Irvine Lake facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Irvine Lake |
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 Irvine Lake
Location in California
Irvine Lake
Location in the United States
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| Location | Orange County, California |
| Coordinates | 33°46′37″N 117°43′11″W / 33.77694°N 117.71972°W |
| Type | reservoir |
| Basin countries | United States |
| Surface area | 700 acres (2.83 km²) |
| Water volume | 28,000 acre⋅ft (0.035 km3) |
Irvine Lake is a large reservoir (which is like a big, artificial lake) located in Orange County, California, United States. You can find it near the town of Silverado, California, just east of the city of Irvine. It's also close to the fun Irvine Regional Park. The lake sits on Santiago Creek and is managed by the Serrano Water District and OC Parks. If you want to visit, you'd take Santiago Canyon Road. The beautiful Cleveland National Forest is right next to the lake on its northeast side.
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Building Irvine Lake: A Look Back
Irvine Lake was created by building the Santiago Dam at its northern end. This dam was constructed between 1929 and 1931. When it was first finished, the lake was called the Santiago Reservoir.
Who Built and Owns the Dam?
The dam was originally built by two groups: the Irvine Company and the Serrano Water District. Back then, the Serrano Water District was known as the Serrano Irrigation District. Today, the dam is owned by the Serrano Water District and the Irvine Ranch Water District. It is operated by the Serrano Water District along with OC Parks.
What is the Lake Used For?
Irvine Lake is very important for the local community. It provides clean drinking water to the town of Villa Park and some areas of Orange. It also gives extra water for irrigation to nearby farms and ranches.
Fishing and Fun at Irvine Lake
The lake is a popular spot for fishing! It was first opened to the public for fishing in 1941. You can find different types of fish here, including largemouth bass, catfish, trout, and crappie. The land around the lake belongs to the Irvine Company. They lease out the rights for fishing, boating, and camping to a company called SWD Recreation Inc.
Lake Levels: Drought and Refill
For several years, starting in 2011, Irvine Lake was not full. This was because of a long period of dry weather, known as a drought. The water levels in the lake kept getting lower and lower. By September 2016, the lake was only about 13 percent full.
A Natural Refill
Luckily, things changed! In August 2019, the lake naturally refilled. This happened because there was an unusual amount of rain. The amount of water in the lake grew a lot in just one year. It went from about 2,700 acre-feet to 15,715 acre-feet. An acre-foot is a way to measure a large amount of water.
Why the Lake Closed and Reopened
In 2016, Irvine Lake had to close to the public. This happened because of some disagreements about money between the Serrano Water District and the Irvine Company. People were sad that they couldn't visit the lake.
Good News: The Lake is Open Again!
After some time, good news arrived! In August 2019, the lake successfully reopened to the public. This happened after OC Parks, the Serrano Water District, and the Irvine Company reached an agreement. For at least one year, people could come back to the lake for shore fishing and other fun activities.
