Lopez Lake

Infobox lake
lake_name = Lopez Lake
image_lake = Lopez Lake 1.jpg
caption_lake = Lopez Lake, with the dam on the left
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location = San Luis Obispo County, California
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inflow = Arroyo Grande Creek
outflow = Arroyo Grande Creek
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basin_countries = United States
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Lopez Lake is a lake near the city of Arroyo Grande in San Luis Obispo County, California. The lake is formed by Lopez Dam on Arroyo Grande Creek, convert|9|mi|km upstream from the Pacific Ocean. The creek drains about 60 square miles (160 km²) above the dam and 90 square miles (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 lake has a capacity of 49,200 acre-feet (60,700,000 m³).

The lake's purpose is to provide drinking water for Arroyo Grande, Grover Beach, Pismo Beach, Oceano and Avila Beach. It also provides groundwater recharge, water for irrigation and flood control. Unlike most municipal water supplies, human contact with the water is permitted. Sailing, 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 three miles (5 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.

References

*PDF| [http://www.coastalrcd.org/Scope%20of%20Work%20for%20Alt%20Study_files/ag_ck_history.pdf Coastal San Luis Resource Conservation District] |148 KiB
*PDF| [http://www.slocowaterqualitylab.org/2004/Lopez%20Report%2011x17%202004.pdf County of San Luis Obispo - Department of Public Works]

The recreation area consists of convert|4200|acre|km2 of open space, trails and camping areas. 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 Trithlon.