California's Lakes And Reservoirs Draw Appreciation July 1-6.

News Editors

SACRAMENTO, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--June 25, 2003

California recognizes the vital importance of lakes and reservoirs by celebrating the first week of July as Lake and Reservoir Appreciation Week.

The Legislature honored the special value of California lakes and reservoirs by adopting Assembly Concurrent Resolution 71 (Aroner, 2001). The resolution notes that lakes and reservoirs attract millions of visitors, providing economic benefits to local businesses, municipal governments and tourist industries. The legislation also notes that lakes and reservoirs provide water for many uses benefiting the public, including water supplies to cities, industries and farms. Lakes and reservoirs also provide recreational and environmental benefits and lend beauty to their areas.

Among California's many noteworthy reservoirs, the Department of Water Resources operates multi-purpose reservoirs as key components of the State Water Project. As summer begins and vacationers seek recreational opportunities, four of the SWP reservoirs offer attractions that symbolize the value of such accessible outdoor gems:

Lake Oroville 

The SWP's biggest storage reservoir, full for the first time since 1998, contains 3.5 million acre-feet of water. Lake Oroville has 167 miles of shoreline and offers outstanding boating, swimming, camping, hiking, biking and trailhorse riding.

Located in Butte County, 75 miles north of Sacramento via State Highway 70 or US 99, Oroville Dam is the nation's tallest. A no-charge Visitors Center near the dam offers visitors plenty of recreational information, history of the lake's creation and a sweeping view of the lake from a 47-foot tall viewing tower.

On the Fourth of July, for the eighth consecutive year, DWR will co-sponsor a free fireworks display at Lake Oroville, starting at 9:45 p.m. Other fireworks sponsors include the Sunrise Rotary Club of Oroville, State Department of Parks and Recreation, City of Oroville, and a number of Oroville businesses.

Also welcoming visitors to Oroville is the Feather River Fish Hatchery, located on the Feather River. The fish hatchery nurtures stocks of salmon. Built by DWR, the hatchery is operated by the Department of Fish and Game.

For information on Lake Oroville and its recreational attractions, call the Lake Oroville Visitors Center at [phone] or check DWR's Lake Oroville Recreation Web site at: http://www.lakeoroville.water.ca.gov/.

Lake del Valle 

Nestled in a tree-shaded valley near Livermore, Lake del Valle offers resort-type recreation, including fishing and camping, close to the urban centers of Oakland and San Francisco. Lake del Valle has a maximum storage capacity of just over 77,000 acre-feet. Completed in 1968, it provides regulatory storage for the South Bay Aqueduct, flood control, recreation and fish and wildlife enhancement for this region of Alameda County. Recreation at Lake del Valle is under the management of the East Bay Regional Park District. For information on recreation activities at Lake del Valle, call the district at (510) 562-PARK, ext. 8.

San Luis Reservoir 

The nation's largest offstream reservoir, San Luis is located in Merced County just west of Interstate 5 on State Highway 152 near Los Banos. This reservoir, with a capacity exceeding 2 million acre-feet, is used for water storage by both the California's State Water Project and the federal Central Valley Project. Recreation options include fishing, boating and windsurfing. Trophy-size striped bass are caught in nearby O'Neill Forebay.

DWR's Romero Overlook Visitors Center, just off State Highway 152, overlooks the lake and offers visitors information about the reservoir, its special water supply function, recreational opportunities and history. For San Luis Reservoir information, call the Visitors Center at [phone].

Pyramid Lake

Pyramid Lake in northern Los Angeles County is one of the State Water Project's most accessible reservoirs, located beside Interstate 5 south of the Grapevine, between the communities of Castaic and Gorman. Vista del Lago Visitors Center, one of the largest and most comprehensive water education centers in the western United States, overlooks the lake.

Vista del Lago provides visitors with information about the SWP, Pyramid Lake, water conservation and many other topics of interest to Californians. It is open daily, free of charge to visitors who can take a break from I-5 traffic to learn about water and view Pyramid Lake, an SWP storage reservoir. For information, call the Vista del Lago Visitors Center at [phone].

Overall, the SWP has 12 lakes and reservoirs as part of its water supply system.

Flyers and magnets drawing attention to Lake and Reservoir Appreciation Week have been distributed by DWR to participating recreational areas.

Persons who appreciate California's lakes and reservoirs use the acronym CARE to remind the public how to protect these waterways by taking some common sense actions:

Chemicals, like motor oil or cleaning products, should be disposed of properly, not poured out. Contact your city or county for information on disposing of hazardous waste.

Admire but don't disturb wildlife and their habitats.

Recreate but don't pollute the waterways you enjoy for swimming, fishing and boating.

Educate others about lakes and reservoirs and how to keep them clean and enjoyable.

The Department of Water Resources operates and maintains the State Water Project, provides dam safety and flood control and inspection services, assists local water districts in water management and water conservation planning, and plans for future statewide water needs.

Visit DWR 's Website at http://www.water.ca.gov/