YUMAN'S MARTINEZ LAKE INSPIRES MARINES' FOND MEMORIES.

Creating the right environment to promote a high quality of life for U.S. Marines has been an increasingly important mission for the Morale, Welfare and Recreation (MWR) Department at Marine Corps Air Station Yuma, Arizona. As the busiest air station in the Marine Corps, Yuma's operation tempo for the average marine is upbeat. Add to that the fact that nearly everyone is far from home, and time spent outside of work has a big say in morale and quality of life. Perhaps that is what makes MWR's Martinez Lake Recreation Facility one of the most valuable assets to the Yuma marines. As a place to relax, it is one of the best. In fact, Martinez Lake has become one of Arizona's premier outdoor retreats, attracting numerous active-duty personnel, retirees, dependents, and MWR employees.

Nestled 35 miles north of the air station, Martinez Lake is one of the last major lakes on the southern end of the Colorado River. It is positioned in Arizona's desert lowland, faces the rim of California's jagged Chocolate Mountains, and is partially surrounded by red volcanic piles. The lake itself encompasses several thousand acres of water that form many channels and is covered by miles of marshy shoreline.

Relief for Our Military

Aside from its rich geographic makeup, Martinez Lake has a significant history. The take was actually a by-product of the 1935 construction of the Imperial Dam, which was built for irrigation purposes. The Imperial Dam was the last dam project of the Boulder Act of the 1930s, part of President Roosevelt's famous Depression-era relief programs. Sixty years later, his project now provides relief for our military.

Dating back to the '50s, the take has become an ideal place for outdoor recreation. The Marine Corps signed an agreement with local officials to create the air station's first outdoor recreation area in November 1964. Today, the recreational facility sits on a 13-acre peninsula -- known as MWR Island by the regulars -- in a prime location on the north side of the lake. The location is central, allowing good access to all lake and river outlets, yet offers plenty of privacy from other recreation-seekers outside the camp.

Mike Castillo, the facility's manager since 1986, feels confident that visitors who are looking for a place to relax will not be disappointed. "It's really a good atmosphere. The thing that makes us successful is the superb area. We're in the middle of the best part of the lake. We have staff that are very knowledgeable and can help get you what you're looking for. And we have great weather. Many months, it's 70 to 75 degrees," he said.

In keeping with its mission, MWR completed a $328,000 construction project earlier this year to expand and contemporize the Martinez resort, making it easier for all visitors to stay longer periods of time. Eight newly constructed RV park models (permanent trailers) and four new cabins are now available for use. The two-room park models have new furnishings to sleep four, a complete kitchen area, separate bathroom facility, cable hookup, and a sliding door that leads to a private patio area with a barbecue. The three-room cabins are larger with furnishings to sleep eight and all the other features of the park models. All the cabins and park models face private coves on the lakefront.

Other types of facilities and gear are available, depending upon a visitor's needs. There are 17 individual sites with RV hookups, which include water and electric, that can be rented by the day or month. For the rugged, there are a few sites on the shoreline for primitive camping.

There is also a pier loaded with motorboats, rowboats, canoes, and paddleboats for rent. If guests want to rent canoes, a pop-up camper, or an assortment of other outdoor gear not available on site, they have access to Arizona Adventures, the state-of-the-art gear-issue facility located at the air station.

Martinez Lake is open to a wide variety of recreational activities, and the MCAS recreation area is no exception. Private boats and jet skis, launched from the recreation facility, can be taken out on the lake.

Water-skiing, channel exploring, and river cruising can be enjoyed on the boats. There is also a special picnic area that soon will be outfitted with a 35-foot octagonal ramada. This area has its own tables, gas barbecues, and beachfront and can be reserved for private parties. Swimming is allowed in most of the areas around the facility.

Possibly the most well-known recreational activity at Martinez Lake is its quality fishing. Dating back to 1955, a fishing camp was probably established at the present-day Martinez Lake Marina, not far from the MWR facility. Castello and other veteran anglers have spent hundreds of hours casting different lures, studying feeding habits, and finding favorite fishing holes. It is not uncommon to catch five- to 10-pound largemouth bass just about anywhere along the shoreline.

"You can catch [largemouth] year-round, but they are more active during pre-spawning, late February through April," Castello said. "Because of the high river runoff this year, the hatching survival will be much greater, and we should have a real surplus of bass next year."

Other species of fish found here include small-mouth and striped bass, crappie, bluegill, flathead and channel catfish, and plenty of large carp. A couple of fishing-tournament winners caught channel cats that weighed more than 50 pounds.

Castello coordinates two or three MWR tournaments each year and offers fishing seminars at the air station. Non-Arizona visitors can obtain one-day licenses at the station's main exchange.

Hunters will enjoy the lake, too. Duck and goose hunting on the lake, as well as quail hunting in the areas surrounding the lake, are favorites.

"Downtown" Martinez

Visitors who stay a couple of days may want to do a little exploring in "downtown" Martinez Lake, located two miles by car from the recreation complex. It serves as the main marina for private homeowners and includes a small convenience store/bait shop, post office, a few little businesses, and a dance hall. During the winter, sightseers might catch a live band or local square-dance showdown.

The MWR Martinez Lake facility means different things to different people. Marines who leave Yuma may often best remember it by their experiences at the lake facility. Others who are in the area longer often become regular visitors; some decide to eventually retire in the area. Castello has observed how the resort affects the community. "After a while, you're on a first-name basis; it's like a family reunion.

It's a very quite and peaceful place to be. For so many, it's a dream."