Collins Lake
Encyclopedia
Collins Lake is a freshwater man-made lake
with 1009 acres (4.1 km²) located in the foothills of the Sierra Nevada Mountains north of Sacramento
, California
. The lake was originally created to provide additional irrigation water to Browns Valley
and Loma Rica
. It still serves that purpose as well as a recreation and fishing lake.
water in the area quickly exceeded availability. As early as 1919 BVID began exploring the idea of damming the water flowing through Virginia Ranch in order to satisfy Browns Valley and Loma Rica. In 1950 a permit was issued for a 105 feet (32 m) high dam
which would have created a 35000 acre.ft reservoir. Lack of funds for the five year, 1.36 million dollar project prevented it from being started. Ten years later a 4.8 million dollar loan was approved for a 152 feet (46.3 m) high embankment dam
which would create a lake with 57000 acre.ft of capacity. Virginia Ranch Dam was completed in 3 years, creating Collins Lake, named for Merle Collins who played a significant role in promoting the project.
In 1967 Pineland Development started a concession for recreation and camping on the lakefront. Since 1972 the concession has been family run and has expanded to include 109 RV hookup campsite
s as well as tent camping sites. The campground and day use areas are gated but open at dawn year round.
Lake
A lake is a body of relatively still fresh or salt water of considerable size, localized in a basin, that is surrounded by land. Lakes are inland and not part of the ocean and therefore are distinct from lagoons, and are larger and deeper than ponds. Lakes can be contrasted with rivers or streams,...
with 1009 acres (4.1 km²) located in the foothills of the Sierra Nevada Mountains north of Sacramento
Sacramento, California
Sacramento is the capital city of the U.S. state of California and the county seat of Sacramento County. It is located at the confluence of the Sacramento River and the American River in the northern portion of California's expansive Central Valley. With a population of 466,488 at the 2010 census,...
, California
California
California is a state located on the West Coast of the United States. It is by far the most populous U.S. state, and the third-largest by land area...
. The lake was originally created to provide additional irrigation water to Browns Valley
Browns Valley, California
Browns Valley is an unincorporated community in Yuba County, California. It lies at an elevation of 269 feet . Browns Valley is located northeast of Marysville. The name was in honor of a settler who arrived in 1850 and discovered gold here.A post office was established at Browns Valley in 1864....
and Loma Rica
Loma Rica, California
Loma Rica is a census-designated place in Yuba County, California, United States. The population was 2,368 at the 2010 census, up from 2,075 at the 2000 census...
. It still serves that purpose as well as a recreation and fishing lake.
History
Collins Lake's founding organization, Browns Valley Irrigation District (BVID), was established in 1888. Demand for irrigationIrrigation
Irrigation may be defined as the science of artificial application of water to the land or soil. It is used to assist in the growing of agricultural crops, maintenance of landscapes, and revegetation of disturbed soils in dry areas and during periods of inadequate rainfall...
water in the area quickly exceeded availability. As early as 1919 BVID began exploring the idea of damming the water flowing through Virginia Ranch in order to satisfy Browns Valley and Loma Rica. In 1950 a permit was issued for a 105 feet (32 m) high dam
Dam
A dam is a barrier that impounds water or underground streams. Dams generally serve the primary purpose of retaining water, while other structures such as floodgates or levees are used to manage or prevent water flow into specific land regions. Hydropower and pumped-storage hydroelectricity are...
which would have created a 35000 acre.ft reservoir. Lack of funds for the five year, 1.36 million dollar project prevented it from being started. Ten years later a 4.8 million dollar loan was approved for a 152 feet (46.3 m) high embankment dam
Embankment dam
An embankment dam is a massive artificial water barrier. It is typically created by the emplacement and compaction of a complex semi-plastic mound of various compositions of soil, sand, clay and/or rock. It has a semi-permanent waterproof natural covering for its surface, and a dense, waterproof...
which would create a lake with 57000 acre.ft of capacity. Virginia Ranch Dam was completed in 3 years, creating Collins Lake, named for Merle Collins who played a significant role in promoting the project.
In 1967 Pineland Development started a concession for recreation and camping on the lakefront. Since 1972 the concession has been family run and has expanded to include 109 RV hookup campsite
RV park
A recreational vehicle park or caravan park is a place where people with recreational vehicles can stay overnight, or longer, in alloted spaces known as "pitches"...
s as well as tent camping sites. The campground and day use areas are gated but open at dawn year round.