User:Kathieblueyes85/Santee Lakes

Santee Lakes, CA is a 190- Acre Recreational Park Locate in the City of Santee, CA. The park is made up of 7 man made lakes filled with reclaimed water.The Recreational Park a campsite, fishing pier, several picnic and event locations, ampitheater, volleyball court, park office, playgrounds and a water play area.

History

After the construction of the El Capitan Reservoir in 1934[[1]] the water supply dried up and Santee began to develop from a agricultural area into a Suburban area. Due to the suburban boom that followed the disposal of wastewater became an issue in 1959. Santee had two options to deal with this problem, join The San Diego Metropolitan System[2], or create a new treatment system. In 1959 wastewater treatment technology was not very advanced making creating a new system an ambitious undertaking. Ray Stoyer, General Manager of the Santee County Water District[3]Using a multi stage process the City of Santee’s sewage[4] could be treated and water could be used as a low cost water supply for irrigation and recreational use. Ray Stoyer thought to create a series of lakes in a part of Sycamore Canyon [5] that had been used previously for gravel mining. By 1961 the first four of Santee Lakes had been created due to the generosity of Bill, with the “Carlton Santee Corporation”, mast donating a portion of Sycamore Canyon. Initially the lakes were not open to the public.

In April 1961, Ray Stoyer applied for permission from the County Health Department to use the fourth lake as a picnic area and boating. The application was denied. In order for the application to be granted the water quality needed to be improved. The treated water was approved for irrigation but not approved for the public. This was fixed by using Stoyers idea of adding an additional step to the cleaning process, and percolating the water from oxidation ponds through soil and diverting it into the recreational lakes. The water tests were successful and Santee Lakes as a recreation area opened June of 1961. Every June this is commemorated with the Festival of the Lakes, a carnival and hometown parade style celebration, the first one being held in June 1961 during the Grand Opening of Santee Lakes. In the summer of 1962, Santee Lakes were given permission to begin a Fish-For-Fun Program after the California Department of Fish and Game[6] had been stocking the lakes for many months with fish to see what types would and wouldn’t spawn.

By the Summer of 1964 the County Department of Health allowed the lakes to permit fisherman to take home their catch instead of throwing it back. A battery of tests run by virologists from 1962 to 1965, proved that Santee Lakes was an effective barrier against waterborne and viral organisms. So in the Spring of 1965 a sand bottomed swim basin was constructed that was separate from the lakes but fed by the lakes water and during the summer was first opened to patrons to swim.

In 1997 an upgrade at the water treatment facility[7] was completed doubling the capacity to two million gallons of water a day from one million. Half of the water treated is currently used for irrigation in Santee and the surrounding areas the other half fills Santee Lakes.

Development

There are currently 28 projects that are underway, planned or completed at the Santee Lakes Recreational Preserve. Among these projects are house boat cabins, renovations,a new boulder adventure course,a cable ski park, and new parks and playgrounds. The Padre Dam board must sign off on these before any work can begin then the city of Santee City Council must approve the projects. These projects were approved in October of 2009 and began shortly after. The next project due to start is the cable ski park.

Park Activities

Fishing

Fishing is available without having to obtain a State Fishing Licence at Santee Lakes. Daily passes are required though but are available for less than $10 a day. The Lakes are stocked with catfish and trout seasonally. A list of best fishing locations by fish species is located on the park website. If any bait or tackle materials have been forgotten they can be obtained from the park general store.

Camping

The lakes offer RV camping only but will offer cabins soon. Full hook-up spots are available and rates range from:

• $37 to $47 dollars a night
• $243 to $260 dollars a week
• $640 to $740 a month

Reservations can be made online. The Recreational Vehicle campsite boasts of several amenities including laundry facilities, playgrounds, wireless internet, and Sunday Chapel.

Other Activities

• Canoes, rowboats, kayaks, and 2 and 4 seated pedal boats are available for rent.
• Santee Lakes has fitness loops that are 1k, 3k, and 5k long.
• Pet walking is now allowed around lakes 6 and 7 provided the pets are quiet, leashed, and cleaned up after.
• Parties and events can reserve locations at Santee Lakes. The event locations are large enough for events up to 1000 people. The fees for the sites range from $50 to $1100 depending on location and guest capacity.
• Seasonal Events
  • Spring Eggstravaganza
  • Spring Catfish Opener
  • Green Day at the Lakes
  • Trout Opener
  • Movies by the Lake
  • Santa at the Lakes
• Specifically for Campers and available weekly for campers at the club house.
  • Pot Luck
  • Game Night
  • Coffee Time

Environmental Responsibility

Santee Lakes is a facility whose aim is to reduce its impact on the environment.

The sustainability projects that are currently in progress:

• 4-acre solar panel project mounted on the roof of RV storage awnings that provides clean energy needs of 50% of the park
• Water treatment that the park was founded on treats 2 million gallons of water a day.
• Waste reduction through the provision of recycling receptacles all over the park.
• Weed management is done though removal of the aquatic plant debris. This has reduced the use of pesticides by over 70%.
• The Urban Forestry program has planted 670 new trees in the park bringing the total to over 1800 trees.

External links

• California Fish and Game Department [8]
• San Diego Public Utilities [9]
• Padre Dam[10]