Canyon Lake (California)

This article is about the reservoir. For the city and gated community, see Canyon Lake, California.

Canyon Lake, sometimes referenced as Railroad Canyon Reservoir, is a reservoir created in 1928 by the construction of the Railroad Canyon Dam in Railroad Canyon or (San Jacinto Canyon) in the Temescal Mountains of southwestern Riverside County, California. The reservoir covers approximately 525 acres (212 ha), has 14.9 miles (24.0 km) of shoreline, and has a storage capacity of 11,586 acre⋅ft (14,291,000 m³). It is owned and operated by the Elsinore Valley Municipal Water District.

Canyon Lake
Railroad Canyon Reservoir
Canyon Lake Lodge, light house and marina
Canyon Lake
Location	Temescal Mountains, Riverside County, California
Coordinates	33.6876°N 117.2692°W / 33.6876; -117.2692
Type	Reservoir
Primary inflows	San Jacinto River
Primary outflows	San Jacinto River Terminal (evaporation)
Catchment area	664 sq mi (1,720 km2)
Basin countries	United States
Managing agency	Elsinore Valley Municipal Water District
Surface area	525 acres (212 ha)
Water volume	11,586 acre⋅ft (14,291,000 m3)
Shore length1	14.9 miles (24.0 km)
Surface elevation	1,365 feet (416 m)
Settlements	Canyon Lake, California
Website	www.canyonlakepoa.com/lake
References	U.S. Geological Survey Geographic Names Information System: Canyon Lake
1 Shore length is not a well-defined measure.

The reservoir is supplied by storm water runoff from the San Jacinto River and Salt Creek. Water from the reservoir feeds the Canyon Lake Water Treatment Plant, which provides approximately 10% of the domestic water supply in the Lake Elsinore and city of Canyon Lake area.

Canyon Lake has an average depth of 20 feet (6.1 m). Catch and release fishing is strictly enforced.

Community

The city of Canyon Lake is a gated community near the reservoir. Residents can use golf carts and boats as a means for transportation within the community. Canyon Lake holds many annual events for residents to enjoy, such as Taco Tuesday during the summer time and festivities during various holidays.

See also

• List of Riverside County, California, placename etymologies#Canyon Lake
• List of Riverside County, California, placename etymologies#Railroad Canyon
• List of dams and reservoirs in California

References

• Department of Water Resources (2009). "Station Meta Data: Railroad Canyon Dam (RLC)". California Data Exchange Center. State of California. Retrieved 2009-10-10.
• "2005 Consumer Confidence Report". Elsinore Valley Municipal Water District. May 2006. Retrieved 2007-02-21.

External links

• U.S. Geological Survey Geographic Names Information System: Canyon Lake
• City of Canyon Lake official website
• Official website