Ellis Lake

Infobox lake
lake_name = Ellis Lake
image_lake = MarysvilleEllisLake.jpg
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location = Marysville, California
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type = reservoir
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basin_countries = United States
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frozen = Located in Marysville, California, Ellis Lake has been the most memorable centerpeice of in the City of Marysville since the 1930s. It is a sparkling man-made lake surrounded by lush greenery and sidewalks with flocks of geese and a variety of other birds. Feeding the geese has been a recreational activity enjoyed by the Yuba Sutter Area at the lake for years as well as pedal boating and fishing. The lake is bounded by 9th street to the South, B Street to the East, 14th Street to the North and D Street to the West.

History

Ellis Lake was once an unsightly swamp. It wasn't until 1924 that the Women's Improvement Club of Marysville commissioned Robbie McLaren, famed designer of the Golden Gate Park in San Francisco, to turn the swamp into a beautiful lake. The project was completed in 1939.The lake, named for Marysville citizen W.T. Ellis, Jr. offers a pleasant walk, picnic areas, fishing and pedal boats.

Body of Mary Jane Gooding

On October 20th, 2002 a car was found at the bottom of the lake, in seven feet of water. Inside the car was the skeletal body of Mary Jane Gooding. It is believed by police that Mary Jane Gooding, accidentally drove her husbands car into the lake on October 10th, 1981. It is believed by her children that she was victim of foul play.

Independence Day Celebration & Tragedy

For decades, Ellis Lake hosted a 4th of July celebration every year, an event that is composed throughout the day of power boat and cardboard boat races (youths build boats out of cardboard and duct tape, trying to cross the lake without sinking). An annual fireworks display was cancelled in 2004 after a young girl lost part of her leg due to a rogue firework shot from the island in the center of the lake into the gathered crowd. That year they had twice as many fireworks than usual, which made shooting the fireworks more difficult and dangerous. The lawsuit finally closed 11 months later when the California Department of Forestry & Fire Protection released a report stating that mortar shells burst low into the crowd onto the other side of the lake from Gazebo Island.

Children's Fishing Derby

Ellis Lake is the location of the annual Marysville fishing derby, when the lake is stocked with fish and local children can fish and win prizes for the size of fish they catch.

Recent Additions

A small commercial center opened up on the south end of the lake. It includes some restaurants and a bank.

The Marysville Exchange Club donated a new flagpole in October 2007, to coincide with the installation of a new fountain and lighting system. The fountain's new computerized light system is capable of running 37 colors and will run year round from 8pm to midnight.