Lake Perris
| Lake Perris | |
|---|---|
Alessandro Island from Bernasconi Beach
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| Location | Lake Perris State Recreation Area Riverside County, California |
| Coordinates | 33°51′25″N 117°10′30″W / 33.857°N 117.175°WCoordinates: 33°51′25″N 117°10′30″W / 33.857°N 117.175°W |
| Type | Reservoir |
| Basin countries | United States |
| Surface elevation | 478 m (1,568 ft) |
| Islands | Alessandro Island |
| References | U.S. Geological Survey Geographic Names Information System: Perris Reservoir |
Lake Perris is an artificial lake completed in 1973. It is the southern terminus of the California State Water Project, situated in a mountain-rimmed valley between Moreno Valley and Perris, in what is now the Lake Perris State Recreation Area. The park offers a variety of recreational activities. Because of this and the lake's proximity to major population centers, it is very crowded during the summer months.
The Ya'i Heki' Regional Indian Museum tells the story of the monumental State Water Project and focuses on the culture and history of the native peoples of the southern California desert region.
Lake Perris is 1,560 feet (480 m) above sea level and is ringed by hills and small mountains. It impounds 131,400 acre feet (162,100,000 m3) of water behind a 2-mile (3 km) long, 128 foot (39 m) tall, chevron-shaped earthfill dam. The untended areas of Lake Perris may seem rocky and barren at first glance, but harbor a variety of natural wonders.
An artificial reef exists on the lake floor made of old tires. The reef was created to provide a habitat for fish.
The predominant plant community, coastal sage scrub, is host to a variety of birds and wildlife. Mule deer, roadrunners, bobcats, coyotes, rabbits, quail, gopher snakes and rattlesnakes may sometimes be seen by day, though they tend to shy away from people. More frequently seen are a wide variety of lizards, rodents, water fowl, and birds of prey. Beautiful displays of wildflowers occur during the rainy season, generally November through April.
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