| Lopez Lake | |
|---|---|
 Lopez Lake, with the dam on the left | |
  Lopez Lake  Lopez Lake | |
| Location | San Luis Obispo County, California |
| Coordinates | 35°11′33″N 120°28′23″W / 35.19261°N 120.47316°W |
| Type | Reservoir |
| Primary inflows | Arroyo Grande Creek Huff's Hole Creek Phoenix Creek |
| Primary outflows | Arroyo Grande Creek |
| Basin countries | United States |
| Water volume | 60,700,000 m3 (49,200 acre⋅ft) |
| Surface elevation | 170 m (560 ft) |
| References | U.S. Geological Survey Geographic Names Information System: Lopez Lake |
Lopez Lake is a reservoir near the city of Arroyo Grande in San Luis Obispo County, California. The lake is formed by Lopez Dam on Arroyo Grande Creek, 9 mi (14 km) upstream from the Pacific Ocean. The creek drains about 60 sq mi (160 km2) above the dam and 90 sq mi (230 km2) below. The dam was built in 1969 and is operated by the San Luis Obispo County Flood Control and Water Conservation District. The earth-fill dam was retrofitted to protect against earthquakes between 2001 and 2003. The winter of 2022-2023 brought the reservoir to the capacity of 49,200 acre-feet (60,700,000 m3).[1] In March 2023 the lake overflowed into the spillway for the first time since 1998, some 25 years prior.[2]
Lopez Lake provides drinking water for Arroyo Grande, Grover Beach, Pismo Beach, Oceano and Avila Beach.[3] It also provides groundwater recharge, water for irrigation and flood control. Unlike most municipal water supplies, human contact with the water is permitted. Sailing, wind surfing, water skiing, swimming, fishing and camping are popular activities. There is also a waterslide next to the lake. To prevent contamination of the drinking water, water from the lake is piped 3 mi (4.8 km) to a terminal reservoir, where it remains to allow particles to settle out and pathogens to die off. The water then goes through flocculation, filtration and chlorination at the Lopez Water Treatment Plant.
The recreation area consists of 4,200 acres (1,700 ha) of open space, trails and camping areas.[4] A network of equestrian, bike and hiking trails criss-cross the park which is primarily oak woodland and coastal sage scrub. The area is frequented by black bears, mountain lions, mule deer and a number of other small mammals.
Several special events are held at the park yearly such as the Lopez Lake Trout Derby held in May, the California Polytechnic University Triathlon and the Scott Tinley Dirty Adventures Triathlon.
- ^ Herbaugh, Austin (March 15, 2023). "Lopez Lake expected to overflow for the first time in 25 years". KSBY. Retrieved March 16, 2023.
- ^ Burwood, David (April 3, 2023). "Since historic spilling, visitors are flowing into Lopez Lake, with many more expected throughout the year". KEYT. Retrieved April 3, 2023.
- ^ Olsen, Erin (September 1, 2022). "Pismo Beach's Central Coast Blue collaboration addresses water needs while building community support and cross-agency partnerships". Western City Magazine. Retrieved February 8, 2023.
- ^ Alley, Dave (March 31, 2023). "Since historic spilling, visitors are flowing into Lopez Lake, with many more expected throughout the year". News Channel 3-12. Retrieved April 1, 2023.