September 17, 2016 Silverwood Lake.
Silverwood Lake is a large reservoir in San Bernardino County, California, United States, located on the West Fork Mojave River, a tributary of the Mojave River in the San Bernardino Mountains. It was created in 1971 by the construction of the Cedar Springs Dam as a forebay on the 444-mile (715 km) long California Aqueduct (consequently inundating the former town of Cedar Springs [1]), and has a capacity of 73,000 acre feet. Silverwood Lake is located on the East Branch of the California Aqueduct. It is operated by the California Department of Water Resources and provides a major water source for agencies serving nearby San Bernardino Mountain and Mojave Desert areas. Some 2,400 acres (9.7 km2) of recreation land surround the lake. At an elevation of 3,355 feet (1,023 m), Silverwood Lake is the highest reservoir in the State Water Project. The Silverwood Lake State Recreation Area is one of many California State Parks features picnicking, hiking trails, swimming beaches, and designated areas for boating, water-skiing and fishing. The Pacific Crest Trail, “the jewel in the crown of America’s scenic trails” spanning 2,650 miles from Mexico to Canada through three western states, passes through the Silverwood Lake State Recreation Area, with trailheads for short or long hikes. A 2009 California Water Board study found significantly elevated levels of toxic poly-chlorinated biphenyls (PCBS) and mercury levels in largemouth bass at Silverwood Reservoir. This has prompted local media to express concerns over the large number of anglers keeping and eating fish from this popular Inland Empire lake. All boats, personal watercraft, kayaks, canoes, sailboards, inflatables, and float tubes must undergo a mandatory inspection. This inspection is to prevent the spread of Quagga and Zebra Mussels. This invasive species threatens the recreational opportunities of the general public, the water delivery infrastructure of California, and the aquatic habitat of Silverwood Lake. These inspections are required to ensure the continued health and wellbeing of Silverwood Lake. Failure to allow inspection of any watercraft will result in the refusal to launch.
URGENT NOTICE PLEASE READ: Quagga Muscle Inspections are taking place and all water craft will be required to pass inspection before they will be allowed to launch. For information about Quagga Mussel Inspections click on this link https://www.dfg.ca.gov/invasives/quaggamussel/
