Lake Hemet facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Lake Hemet |
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 Lake Hemet
Location in California
Lake Hemet
Location in the United States
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| Location | Mountain Center, Riverside County, California |
| Coordinates | 33°39′58″N 116°41′35″W / 33.66611°N 116.69306°W |
| Lake type | reservoir |
| Primary inflows | San Jacinto River |
| Primary outflows | San Jacinto River |
| Basin countries | United States |
| Surface area | 470 acres (190 ha) |
| Water volume | 14,000 acre-feet (17,000,000 m3) |
| Shore length1 | 12 mi (19 km) |
| Surface elevation | 4,340 ft (1,323 m) |
| 1 Shore length is not a well-defined measure. | |
Lake Hemet is a large reservoir (a human-made lake for storing water) located in the beautiful San Jacinto Mountains in California. It holds a lot of water – about 14,000 acre-feet! This lake was created way back in 1895 when the Lake Hemet Dam was built. At first, a private company owned it, but now it's managed by the Lake Hemet Municipal Water District (LHMWD), which helps provide water to nearby communities.
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About Lake Hemet
Lake Hemet is an artificial lake found in the San Jacinto Mountains. It sits high up, about 4,340 feet (1,323 meters) above sea level. This lake is also part of the huge San Bernardino National Forest.
The lake covers an area of about 470 acres and has 12 miles (19 km) of shoreline. It's a popular spot for outdoor fun!
Fun Activities at the Lake
Many people visit Lake Hemet for fishing. The lake is regularly stocked with different kinds of fish, including:
Besides fishing, you can enjoy other activities like:
- Boating
- Picnicking
- Hiking on nearby trails
- Camping in the surrounding areas
Who Uses the Water?
The Lake Hemet Municipal Water District (LHMWD) provides water from Lake Hemet to many different places in Riverside County, California. This includes parts of the cities of Hemet and San Jacinto. Water also goes to Garner Valley, a growing community located high up on San Jacinto Mountain.
The LHMWD serves thousands of customers, both homes and farms. A board of five directors, chosen by the public, helps manage the water district.
History of Lake Hemet
The story of Lake Hemet began in 1887. Two companies, the Lake Hemet Water Company and the Hemet Land Company, were formed by Edward L. Mayberry and William F. Whittier. These companies helped them get land and water rights from the San Jacinto River area.
Building the Dam
Construction on the Lake Hemet Dam started on January 6, 1891. When it was finished in 1895, the dam was 122.5 feet (37.3 meters) tall. It was the largest solid stone dam in the world at that time! This record was held until the Roosevelt Dam was built in Arizona in 1911. Later, in 1923, the Hemet dam was made even taller, reaching 135 feet (41 meters).
Growing Popularity
In 1932, the Pines to Palms Highway (also known as SR 74) opened. This new road made it much easier for people to reach Lake Hemet from the coast and Palm Desert. This helped the lake become even more popular for fun activities and recreation.
The Lake Hemet Municipal Water District (LHMWD) was officially started on September 27, 1955. They took over the work of the original Lake Hemet Water Company. The LHMWD bought the water system using money from a special bond, which is like a loan from the public.
Lake Hemet in Pop Culture
Lake Hemet has even appeared on television!
- In the 1980s CBS show Airwolf, scenes of the lake were used. The main character, Stringfellow Hawke, lived in a cabin by the lake in the show.
- The lake was also featured in an episode of Visiting... with Huell Howser (Episode 923).
