Lake Mission Viejo is a reservoir created for recreation in Mission Viejo, Orange County, California. The reservoir is formed by an earthfill dam across the canyon of Oso Creek, which is part of the Trabuco Creek and San Juan Creek drainage basin. The lake is not fed by urban runoff; it is maintained so as to be safe for contact. The Lake Association owns and operates the Lake facilities which include approximately 124 surface acres of water and 50 acres of land, including Playa del Norte (North Beach) and Marina, Playa del Este (East Beach), parking facilities, Market on the Lake Dock and dam. Recreational facilities available for Lake Association members include the Lake, two large beaches and picnic areas, clubhouse rental, boat launching facility and shoreline fishing area.
The Lake Mission Viejo Association, is a California Non-Profit corporation consisting of those residential property owners within the ultimate boundaries of the Mission Viejo planned community. Association members have access to the Lake through the guard gates at both North and East beach. Other portions of the shoreline have been developed as private residential projects and commercial village (Market on the Lake). Smaller private beach facilities around the Lake are for the exclusive use of waterfront homeowners. Costs and operations of any private facilities for lakefront developments will be paid for and are the responsibility of that lakefront owner. Other ammenities include, Fishing, recreation (boating and swimming) as well as Concerts, Movie Nights and Summer Camps during the summer months. Lake Mission Viejo is a private recreational facility/ HOA that is for the use and enjoyment of members that own or live in Lake Member Properties within the city of Mission Viejo.
About 5 miles (8.0Â km) south of Santiago Peak, a peak in the Santa Ana Mountains, the lake is surrounded by private residential (single-family and condominium) communities, and is a private membership for Mission Viejo residents. The primary marina is located in the northwestern arm of the lake. Upstream of Lake Mission Viejo is Upper Oso Reservoir, which spills downstream and into Mission Viejo in wet years.
Beaches
There are two main beaches, Playa del Norte and Playa del Este, with a few smaller, private beaches. The larger beaches are both protected by the Lake Mission Viejo Lifeguards. Both beaches contain playgrounds, barbecues and picnic areas, snack bar (North Beach Only) and fishing areas.
Playa del Norte (or North Beach)
More commonly referred to as North Beach, is the largest beach at Lake Mission Viejo. It contains the largest sandy beach area, volleyball courts, a full basketball court (in the winter months), and a clubhouse available to rent. All of the administration buildings are located at the North Beach. All boat rentals and boat launching is located at the North Beach. North Beach is open all year round. Snack Bar services are provided by Tony's at Lake Mission Viejo during the summer season as well as special menu for concert days and the Annual Jazz Fest/Taste of the Lake.
Playa del Este (or East Beach)
More commonly referred to as East Beach, Playa del Este is the second largest beach at Lake Mission Viejo. East beach also has picnic tables, barbeques, playground area, basketball courts and an upper picnic area overlooking the Lake which may be reserved for larger groups. East Beach is open daily during summer and on weekends from Memmorial Day through Labor Day.
Swimmer's Itch
During spring and parts of the summer, swimmer's itch, also called cercarial dermatitis can appear. It is a microscopic pest that lives on hosts like birds and snails by biting into their skin. Once it bites a human, it dies but leaves an irritated area or bump like a mosquito bite. The itching will be gone as well as the bump in a few days. Swimmer's itch can be prevented by showering thoroughly after swimming. There have been no reports of swimmers itch at the Lake Mission Viejo since 2015.
Boating
Lake Association members find excellent sailing conditions on Lake Mission Viejo. There is a rental fleet which includes rowboats, available with electric motors, 14’ Capri Sailboats, pedal boats, kayaks, and party (pontoon) boats. All rental boats are available to Association members and their guests for a reasonable fee.
10 Passebnger Party Boat
Fishing Pontoon
Rowboat (with or without electric motor)
Tracker Bass Boat
Sailboat
1 person RS Tera Sailboats (for the young sailors)
Single Kayak
Tandem Kayak
Pedal Boat
Stand Up Paddleboard
Elliptical Stand Up Paddleboard
Water Trike
Fishing
The Lake is stocked with different kinds of fish including trout, catfish, tilapia, bass and sunfish. Specially designed fish habitats have been built on the bottom of the lake to promote good fishing and spawning. Lake Association members may fish at the designated shoreline area adjacent to the marina, or from a boat out on the lake. Association members receive identification badges for eligible family members. These badges entitle the member to free fishing privileges (guests must pay a fishing fee). In order to protect the natural ecological balance of the Lake, only these specified types of baits are permitted; red worms, night crawlers, meal worms, terrestrial insects (grasshoppers, crickets etc.), cheese baits, marshmallows, fish roe, (catfish, trout or salmon eggs) and stink bait. Bait and other fishing equipment may be purchased at the Boat Rental Office. Fishing club information is also available at the Boat Rental office.
Fishing is allowed from rental fishing boats, registered private boats, and in designated fishing areas. Fishing is not allowed inside swimming areas.
Prohibited Baits: Live bait (crawfish, minnows, frogs etc.), any warm blooded animal parts (liver, red meat, etc.) humming (placing in the water foodstuffs to attract fish such as corn, grains etc.)
Fishing Methods: An individual may fish with ONE closely attended rod, with not more than three (3) hooks. No more than FOUR (4) fish may be kept on a stringer.
Limits: Any combination of FOUR (4) game fish (trout, catfish, bass or sunfish) per person per day.
Releasing Fish: Bass, catfish and sunfish may be released after being caught, providing they are in healthy condition. Under no conditions should trout be released.
Records
On April 1, 2006 George Coniglio caught a 19 lbs 12 oz largemouth bass. As of 2006, it ranked 13th largest catch all-time nationwide. The fish measured 28 inches long with a 26-inch girth. Mr. Coniglio also set a new IGFA “All-Tackle Length†Largemouth Bass was caught in Lake Mission Viejo on May 15, 2015. The Bass was 65 cm. long, (2 feet 1½inches), 4 cm. longer than the previous record.
Guest Rules & Fee’s
Fifteen (15) Guests is an ABSOLUTE MAXIMUM.
Each LMVA member household is entitled to bring 15 guests or fewer on a daily basis, except on the weekends of the Summer Period which limits guests to 10 per day, per household.
Each member household may submit, on a LMVA guest list form, a pre-paid or pay as enter guest list of up to 15. However, during weekends of the Summer Period, guest lists are permitted for only up to ten (10) guests. Member may obtain a guest list at the Lake Services Office. Guest lists are not permitted on Concert Days.
Guest fees are $3.00 for any guest 8 years and older. A Guest fee does not apply to children under 8 years old. Although children under the age of 8 are free, they are included in the member’s total guest count. For events larger than fifteen guests, members should inquire about use and reservation of the East Beach Upper Group area and the Lake Clubhouse. Restrictions apply.
The member is responsible for their guests at all times and MUST remain on Lake premises throughout the duration of their event. NO GUESTS WILL BE ADMITTED UNTIL THE GUEST LIST HAS BEEN ACTIVATED BY THE MEMBER.
Guests are permitted on Independence Day (July 4) after 3 p.m. Normal guest fees will apply.
On summer concert days only, lake members may bring up to four (4) guests per household. (This includes children.) Guests must enter with the member. FEES WILL BE $15.00 PER GUEST ON CONCERT DAYS AT NORTH BEACH ONLY.
Guest fees at EAST BEACH will continue to be $3.00 per guest on concert days.
A member household may submit only one guest list per day, up to the maximum number of guests allowed.
MEMBERS WHO ARE 62 YEARS OF AGE AND OLDER qualify for a special half price senior citizens discount for their guests. Senior citizens are required to advise the gate attendant that they qualify for half price fee.
All guests must have in their possession an L.M.V.A. guest pass with the appropriate color of the day. Those with a ten dollar guest fishing pass must have it in their possession and make it available to a lifeguard for his/her signature. Each family is entitled to ten (10) guests per day. Please see “Guest List Policy†handout for special occasion parties of up to 15 guests per household and special concert day policy. GUESTS WILL NOT BE ALLOWED TO USE THE LAKE FACILITIES PRIOR TO 3:00 P.M. ON INDEPENDENCE DAY 7/4.
Lake Mission Viejo: A Homeowners Association
MEMBERSHIP IS PERMANENT
As with any typical property owner association, the Lake Association membership is a permanent aspect of ownership of the lot or condominium. If you sell the lot or condominium, the new owner will automatically be a member of the Lake Association. This assures that the Lake Association will not get smaller; it can only grow larger, providing a large membership base to share the costs of operation the Lake in future years.
MEMBERSHIP IS NON-TRANSFERABLE
Membership is permanently associated with a lot or condominium. However, membership privileges may be temporarily transferred to a bonafide tenant of a member, but the obligation to pay assessments remains with the legal owner.
LAKE MISSION VIEJO IS A MAN-MADE BODY OF WATER
The Lake must be carefully managed to keep it in a healthy, attractive condition for Association members to enjoy. The Lake will be managed by skilled technicians experienced in Lake Management. Control measures, which may involve the use of chemicals, will be taken to inhibit the accumulation of weeds, algae, animal wastes, and insect pests. When these control measures are in effect, or if unforeseen problems beyond the control of the Lake Association develop, it may be necessary to restrict or prohibit use of the Lake from time to time.
FUTURE MEMBERSHIP LEVELS
As the Association membership grows, the activity levels on the Lake will increase. Studies have been prepared by qualified consultants who indicate that the Lake Association properties will provide adequate capacity even if every homeowner in Mission Viejo decided to join the Association. However, on certain peak days the Lake facilities may become crowded just like all popular recreation areas. The Board of Directors may be required to adopt special regulations in the future to accommodate unique situations.
PORTIONS OF THE SHORELINE WILL BE PRIVATE
The owners of lakefront lots will have the right to exclusive access to the Lake from their individual lakefront lots. Access to the Lake for Association members will be limited to the facilities owned by the Lake Association and they will not be provided access across private property.
RULES AND REGULATIONS (CC&R’s Article VIII)
All rules and regulations governing Lake Use, admission of guests, and fees will be determined by the Board of Directors to promote greatest enjoyment of the Lake for the maximum number of members. A copy of the rules & regulations may be obtained at the Lake Membership office. Please see the Fee Schedule for the pricing of the CC&R’s. The Board of Directors has the authority to make and change rules governing the use of the Lake Association as future fees require.
History
Lake Mission Viejo construction cost was initially estimated around $10 million. Eyeing a possible 30 percent return on investment, the Philip Morris Co. bought the Mission Viejo Co. for $52 million in 1972. Under terms of the purchase agreement, the Mission Viejo Co. became a wholly owned subsidiary of Philip Morris but continued its role as Mission Viejo’s master builder.
An earthen dam nearly 130 feet high and almost a mile long was built along what would become the southern end of the lake. The hole for lake mission viejo was completed by 1976. In 1978, two years after efforts began to fill the lake, this finally was accomplished.
In March, 1977 the Mission Viejo Company dedicated Lake Mission Viejo to the Lake Association, a California Non-Profit corporation consisting of those residential property owners within the ultimate boundaries of the Mission Viejo planned community.
See also
- List of lakes in California
References
External links
- http://lakemissionviejo.org/