Lake Mission Viejo facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Lake Mission Viejo |
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aerial photograph (2010)
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 Lake Mission Viejo
Location in California
Lake Mission Viejo
Location in the United States
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| Location | Mission Viejo, California |
| Coordinates | 33°37′36″N 117°38′53″W / 33.62667°N 117.64806°W |
| Type | reservoir |
| Basin countries | United States |
| Built | 1975 |
| Max. length | 1 mi (1.6 km) |
| Max. width | 1⁄4 mi (0.40 km) |
| Surface area | 125 acres (51 ha) |
| Average depth | 30 ft (9.1 m) |
| Max. depth | 70 ft (21 m) |
| Water volume | 1.2 billion US gallons (4.5 Gl) |
| Shore length1 | 3.02 miles (4.86 km) of shoreline |
| Surface elevation | 701 ft (214 m) |
| 1 Shore length is not a well-defined measure. | |
Lake Mission Viejo is a fun, man-made lake in Mission Viejo, California. It's located in Orange County, California. This lake was built for people to enjoy many different activities.
The lake was created by building a large dam across the canyon of Oso Creek. This area is part of the larger San Juan Creek watershed. The water in the lake is kept clean and safe for swimming and other activities. It's not filled with water from city streets.
The Lake Association owns and takes care of the lake. This includes about 124 acres of water and 50 acres of land. You'll find two main beaches, a marina, parking areas, and the dam here.
If you are a member of the Lake Association, you can use the lake for many fun things. These include swimming, boating, and fishing. There are also two big beaches with picnic spots. You can rent the clubhouse for parties and launch your own boat.
The Lake Mission Viejo Association is a group of people who own homes in the Mission Viejo area. They are the ones who get to use the lake. You can get to the lake through special gates at North and East Beach. Some homes right by the lake also have their own small private beaches. These are just for the people living in those homes.
Besides water sports, the lake also hosts concerts, movie nights, and summer camps. Lake Mission Viejo is a private place for members who live in certain homes in Mission Viejo.
The lake is about 5 miles (8 km) south of Santiago Peak. This peak is part of the Santa Ana Mountains. The lake is surrounded by homes and is a private club for Mission Viejo residents. The main place to rent boats is at the northwest part of the lake. Sometimes, in very rainy years, water from Upper Oso Reservoir flows into Lake Mission Viejo.
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Beaches at Lake Mission Viejo
Lake Mission Viejo has two main beaches, Playa del Norte and Playa del Este. There are also a few smaller, private beaches. Lifeguards from Lake Mission Viejo keep everyone safe at the larger beaches. Both big beaches have playgrounds, places to barbecue, and picnic areas. They also have spots for fishing. North Beach even has a snack bar!
Playa del Norte (North Beach)
North Beach is the biggest beach at Lake Mission Viejo. It has the largest sandy area for playing. You'll find volleyball courts here. In the winter, there's even a full basketball court. There's also a clubhouse you can rent for events.
All the main offices for the lake are at North Beach. This is also where you can rent boats and launch your own boat. North Beach is open all year round. During the summer, you can buy snacks and food at Tony's at Lake Mission Viejo. They also have special food for concerts and the yearly Jazz Fest.
Playa del Este (East Beach)
East Beach is the second largest beach at Lake Mission Viejo. It also has picnic tables, barbecues, and a playground. There are basketball courts too. You can reserve an upper picnic area overlooking the lake for bigger groups. East Beach is open every day during the summer. It's also open on weekends from Memorial Day to Labor Day.
Swimmer's Itch
Sometimes in spring and summer, you might hear about "swimmer's itch." This is a tiny creature that can bite your skin. It's like a mosquito bite and can make you feel itchy. But don't worry, it's harmless! The itch and bump usually go away in a few days.
To avoid swimmer's itch, it's a good idea to shower well after swimming. The good news is that there haven't been any reports of swimmer's itch at Lake Mission Viejo since 2015.
Boating Fun
Lake Mission Viejo is a great place for sailing! Members of the Lake Association can rent different kinds of boats. You can rent rowboats (some with electric motors), 14-foot Capri Sailboats, pedal boats, and kayaks. There are even party (pontoon) boats for bigger groups. All these boats can be rented by members and their guests for a small fee.
Fishing at the Lake
The lake is stocked with different types of fish. You might catch trout, catfish, tilapia, bass, and sunfish. Special areas have been built at the bottom of the lake to help fish live and lay eggs.
In 2014, there was a problem with something called Golden Algae. This caused many fish to die. Scientists tried to get rid of it, but it was tough. Since then, tilapia fish were put into the lake. As of 2019, the Golden Algae issue is still being watched. Some trout that were added later also had problems.
Lake Association members can fish from a special area near the marina. You can also fish from a boat out on the lake. Members get special ID badges that let them fish for free. Guests usually need to pay a small fee to fish.
To keep the lake healthy, only certain types of bait are allowed. You can buy bait and other fishing gear at the Boat Rental Office. If you're interested in a fishing club, you can find information there too.
Amazing Fishing Records
Lake Mission Viejo has seen some amazing catches!
- On April 1, 2006, a fisherman named George Coniglio caught a huge largemouth bass. It weighed 19 pounds and 12 ounces! This fish was 28 inches long and 26 inches around. At the time, it was the 13th largest catch ever recorded in the whole country.
- Mr. Coniglio also set a new world record for the "All-Tackle Length" Largemouth Bass on May 15, 2015. This bass was 65 centimeters long (that's about 2 feet, 1½ inches!). It was 4 centimeters longer than the previous record.
History of Lake Mission Viejo
Building Lake Mission Viejo was a big project! It was first thought to cost around $10 million.
In 1972, a company called Philip Morris bought the Mission Viejo Company. This company was in charge of building the community of Mission Viejo.
A very large earthen dam was built. It was almost 130 feet high and nearly a mile long! This dam created the southern end of the lake. The big hole for Lake Mission Viejo was finished by 1976.
It took two years to fill the lake with water. By 1978, the lake was finally full!
In March 1977, the Mission Viejo Company officially gave Lake Mission Viejo to the Lake Association. This group of homeowners now owns and takes care of the lake for everyone to enjoy.
