Shadow Cliffs Regional Recreation Area facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Shadow Cliffs Regional Recreation Area |
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|---|---|
| Location | Alameda County, California |
| Nearest city | Livermore, California/Pleasanton, California |
| Area | 266 acres (1,080,000 m2) |
| Created | 1971 |
| Operated by | East Bay Regional Park District |
| Status | Open |
Shadow Cliffs Regional Recreation Area is a fun regional park. It's located near Pleasanton, California and Livermore, California. This park is part of the East Bay Regional Park District.
The park has a big lake. It was once a place where people dug up gravel. Now, it's a sandy beach perfect for swimming. You can also go fishing and boating here. The park is also a great spot for picnics.
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Park History
Shadow Cliffs was once a gravel quarry. A company called Kaiser Industries used to run it. They gave the land to the East Bay Regional Park District (EBRP). The park first opened in 1971.
The U.S. Bureau of Outdoor Recreation helped out. They gave $250,000 to build park facilities. With this money, EBRP made a 266 acres (1,080,000 m2) park. It included an 80 acres (320,000 m2) lake, picnic areas, and a large parking lot.
Fun Activities at the Park
Go for a Swim
You can swim in the lake all year. Just remember to swim safely. Lifeguards are on duty during the summer months. The swimming beach and a snack stand are open on weekends in spring and fall. They are open every day in summer.
Please do not bring pets or glass bottles to the sandy beach areas. If you need a beach wheelchair, they are available for free. You can get one on a first-come, first-served basis.
Enjoy Fishing
Fishing is allowed in the main lake. You will need a Park District Daily Fishing Access Permit. Park staff add trout and catfish to the lake every week. Other popular fish to catch are bluegill and black bass.
The California Office of Environmental Health Hazard Assessment (OEHHA) has advice for eating fish from the lake. This is based on levels of mercury or PCBs found in some fish.
Keeping the Lake Clean
Water Quality Checks
The lake water at Shadow Cliffs Beach is tested often. They check for bacteria levels. This happens weekly from April to October. It's checked twice a month from November to March.
In July 2014, the lake was closed for swimming. This was because of high levels of a type of bacteria called E. coli. Tests showed very high amounts of E. coli in the water. California's safety standard is 235 colonies per 100 milliliters. The lake had much higher levels than that.
Hal MacLean, a park supervisor, thought a few things caused this. Low water levels from a drought were one reason. Also, animal waste, probably from geese, added to the problem. The park planned to treat the lake. They also tried to keep geese away from the swimming area. This helped lower the bacteria levels.
Boat Inspections for Mussels
Since October 1, 2016, all boats entering Shadow Cliffs Lake must be checked. This is to stop tiny creatures called quagga mussels from spreading. These mussels can harm the lake's environment.
The park charges a small fee for these checks. It costs $7.00 to check motorized boats. It costs $3.00 to check inflatable boats, kayaks, canoes, and other small vessels. This helps keep the lake healthy for everyone.
