LOVELAND RESERVOIR TO BECOME RECREATIONAL PARADISE – THANKS TO POWERBALL WINNER

By Willie Prosper

April 1, 2023 (Alpine) – Loveland Reservoir in Alpine will be restored and transformed into a recreational paradise – thanks to a deal hammered out between Sweetwater Water Authority and the winner of California’s billion-dollar Super-Lotto, Russell Walsh. 

Walsh had been the district’s most vocal critic, faulting Sweetwater for draining the reservoir down to dead pool status. Besides killing off fish, the extreme draining preceded destruction of a fishing dock and erosion so severe that the district shut down all recreational access since January.

Sweetwater justified the water transfers first based on drought, and then after heavy rains, on saving its ratepayers money by avoiding costs of importing water.

“I made them a deal they couldn’t refuse,” said Russell, who had threatened legal action against the district. “Instead of suing them, I decided to make them an offer that would provide them with more money than draining the lake repeatedly could do—and generate some goodwill for both area residents and ratepayers.”

Under the deal, Sweetwater agrees to never again drain the reservoir below a moderate level. Walsh agreed to invest the bulk of his winnings to fund repairs, restock the lake with fish, and create more recreational opportunities that will bring in a long-term revenue stream for the district.

Those improvements include a campground, floating and lakeside cabins, boat rentals, a zip line, amphitheater and campfire rings, as well as a swimming pool with waterslides and a flume ride along the hills above the lake.

There will also be a visitor center offering classes, ranger-led hikes, birdwatching and a lakeside community room for group event rentals, as well as a gazebo for weddings. The lake will be fully restocked with fish for anglers, supplied by a bait and tackle shop.  A restaurant with lakefront views as well as a BBQ shack and ice cream parlor will also be added. A portion of the lake will remain undeveloped, with natural habit restored  to protect nesting birds and other wildlife in perpetuity.

The district will be able to afford future water purchases off revenues from the new recreational attractions, though the lake itself will forever be open to the public, with no admission fee. 

A percentage of revenues from other attractions will  be donated to the nonprofit Friends of Loveland Reservoir, which will raise money to maintain and enhance recreational opportunities at Loveland, as well as endow a legal fund to assure enforcement of the contract terms.

“I caught a whopper!” exclaimed Walsh of his lottery winnings, during a press conference held in conjunction with the nonprofit Friends of Loveland Reservoir. “I’m thrilled to be able to assure that this natural and recreational resource will be restored to the community in perpetuity.”

Sweetwater officials present at the press conference thanked Walsh for becoming the district’s biggest benefactor, then announced that the restored dam at Loveland will be renamed Walsh Dam in his honor. Russell’s Roost, a new floating fishing dock, will also be launched, with a permanent spot on the dock reserved for Walsh to cast out his lines. 

The district’s general manager Carlos Quintero concluded, “We deeply appreciate Russell Walsh for coming up with a solution to assure that community members will have recreational access restored, while our ratepayers will have a deep pool of liquid assets to purchase water for the foreseeable future, without raising rates.”

Happy April Fool’s Day!