Lake Perris

https://www.parks.ca.gov/?page_id=651 https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lake_Perris 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.

Lake Perris State Recreation Area Our Mission The mission of California State Parks is to provide for the health, inspiration and education of the people of California by helping to preserve the state’s extraordinary biological diversity, protecting its most valued natural and cultural resources, and creating opportunities for high-quality outdoor recreation. Jewel-like Lake Perris beckons visitors with cool blue waters, pristine beaches, world-class bass fishing, wildlife watching, and miles of riding California State Parks supports equal access. Prior to arrival, visitors with disabilities who need assistance should contact the park at (951) 940-5600. If you need this publication in an alternate format, contact interp@parks.ca.gov. CALIFORNIA STATE PARKS P.O. Box 942896 Sacramento, CA 94296-0001 For information call: (800) 777-0369 (916) 653-6995, outside the U.S. 711, TTY relay service www.parks.ca.gov Lake Perris State Recreation Area 17801 Lake Perris Drive Perris, CA 92571 (951) 940-5600 www.parks.ca.gov / lakeperris © 2008 California State Parks (Rev. 2016) and hiking trails. H idden among were made of leaves rock-studded hills, and branches laid over Lake Perris State tree limbs set upright, Recreation Area’s surrounded with low 8,800 acres of broad rock walls or other valley are bounded small structures. on three sides by Although distinct social low ridges. The units, the two largest Bernasconi Hills and Rare snowfall on Bernasconi Hills groups — the Cahuilla and the Russell, Apuma, Luiseño — shared similar and Armada Mountains obscure the view of subsistence and settlement adaptations. nearby cities. Inland, the San Bernardino, San The Luiseño ranged west to the coast while Jacinto, and Santa Rosa Mountains, snowthe Cahuilla extended east into the San capped in winter months, stand tall in the Jacinto Mountains and Colorado Desert. distance. The area boasts a rich variety of Their territories overlapped in inland areas, terrains, habitats, and wildlife. including Perris Valley. Lake Perris is located about 65 miles south Artifacts found prior to dam construction of Los Angeles and 11 miles southeast of indicate that both the Luiseño and Cahuilla Riverside. The lake’s clean white beaches, traded with such nearby groups as the enticing blue waters, and rocky Alessandro Serrano, Tongva (Gabrielino), Cupeño, and Island bring nearly one million visitors from Chemehuevi. These cultures are known surrounding communities each year. for their rock art; some is still visible Activities in this popular park include around the lake. Time has weathered fishing, water sports, bird watching, hiking, away rock pictographs (paintings) and rock climbing, camping, horseback riding, petroglyphs (engravings). and visiting the Ya’i Heki’ (pronounced yahee ehkey) Regional Indian Museum. PARK HISTORY Native People For thousands of years, the native California groups who lived here enjoyed the area’s abundant resources and mild climate. Food, water, shelter, and clothing were plentiful. The native people hunted antelope, bighorn sheep, deer, rabbits, birds, and a variety of small mammals. Native seasonal houses Native people’s lives changed drastically with the arrival of Europeans. The native people had no immunity to new diseases; many lost their lives, especially those who had been resettled into crowded mission conditions. Today, community outreach and education help native descendants maintain their cultures through song, dance, crafts, ceremony, and languages. NATURAL HISTORY Summers are hot and dry. The hottest months are from June through September, with an average high of 94 degrees in August. From December through April, rainfall averages about 10 inches; the average high temperature is 71 degrees, with a low of 46 degrees at night. Vegetation A colorful palette of native plants surrounds the lake. The scrub vegetation on the south faces of the Russell Mountains and the Bernasconi Hills typically consists of brittlebush, sagebrush, black and white sages, buckwheat, and cactus species. The shadier northern or northwestern slopes are ideal for chamise and penstemon, interior live oak, and sugar bush. Between November and April, these slopes are covered with colorful wildflowers, including goldfields, California poppies, phacelia, and common fiddleneck. The valley grassland areas, visible in a few isolated locations, are only a remnant of onceabundant perennial grasses. Poison oak also grows in various locations — learn to recognize and avoid it. Wildlife Riversidian sage scrub and chaparral provide habitat for mule deer, bobcats, coyotes, raccoons, California quail, gopher snakes, and rattlesnakes. Though generally shy, these animals can sometimes be spotted during daylight hours. Please do not feed any wild animals that you encounter. Lake Perris is home to more than a hundred species of birds, many migratory. Some birds are here for short stopovers during their migrations, while others are permanent

FAMILY & GROUP CAMPING AND PICNICKING (CONTINUED) • Maximum length of stay: 15 days between June I and November 30; 30 days between December 1 and May 31. • Campfires are permitted only in fire rings and grills. Open ground fires are not permitted. • Campsites should be left clean and free of vandalism. All litter must be deposited in a trash receptacle. • Drains in RV loops are for gray water (sink water) only, not sewage. Sanitation stations are available near the Nature Corner, north of the campground office. BOATING AND WATERCRAFT • Vessel and watercraft operators must be 16 years of age or older. • Direction of travel is counterclockwise in the 35 mph zone (except for vessels under sail). • All persons except water-skiers must be in the passenger compartment while vessel is underway. NO BOW RIDING! No swimming from boats! • At all times an observer at least 12 years old in the towing vessel must be in a position to watch the skier. An orange flag must be displayed when a skier or equipment is in the water. • Only wake boards, water skis, and aquaplanes may be towed with a ski rope. • NO WAKE! Use idle speed from shore to buoys. Entire east end of the lake is 5 mph only. • Maximum speed on lake is 35 mph. Speed before sunrise is limited to 5 mph; running lights are required. Vessels must be off the lake by sunset. • During restricted visibility (fog, etc.) the speed limit is 5 mph, and running lights are required. • Vessels are not allowed within 50 ft. of posted swim areas. • Current boat registration, tags, and CF# must be affixed to the vessel. A U.S. Coast Guard (USCG)approved fire extinguisher must be on board. Each person on board must have a USCGapproved Type 1, 2, or 3 personal flotation device (PFD) available on board the vessel. • • • • • All children 11 and under must wear PFDs at all times. Boats must have a whistle or other sound-producing device on board. Jet skis, wave runners, and two-stroke engines are allowed. Kite surfing is not allowed due to the defined direction of travel in the lake. If you are unsure of any laws pertaining to watercraft use, ask a lifeguard or ranger. Federal Inland Navigation Rules apply on the lake. SWIMMING • Never swim alone. • All children under 14 must be supervised by an adult. • Please swim near lifeguard stations in designated swim areas only. • Coast guard-approved lifejackets are recommended for non-swimmers and children. • No glass, dogs, or children in diapers are allowed on the swim beaches. PETS • Pets must be leashed (6’ or less), caged, or in a tent, motor home, or vehicle at all times. They must not be left unattended. Please clean up after your pets. • Pets are allowed on watercraft, but may not have any body contact with the water at any time. Pets are NOT allowed on Alessandro Island or on beaches. • If you see a loose pet, inform a park employee so that the animal can be taken to the animal shelter. REGIONAL INDIAN MUSEUM & PARK EVENTS • The museum is open Fridays 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. and Saturdays and Sundays from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. • Lake Perris SRA offers many programs for youth: Junior Lifeguards, Junior Rangers, Aquatic Adventure Camp, nature walks, campfire programs, and more. • Call (951) 940-5657 or (951) 940-5600 for more information. WE HOPE YOU ENJOY YOUR VISIT TO LAKE PERRIS AND WILL RETURN SOON. Lake Perris State Recreation Area 17801 Lake Perris Drive, Perris, CA (951) 940-5600 Nestled between Moreno Valley and Perris, Lake Perris SRA provides a place to escape the bustle of city life and the heat in the summer. Many recreational activities are enjoyed at Lake Perris SRA such as: hiking, biking, water-skiing, boating, jet skiing, fishing, swimming, horseback riding, camping, and picnicking. PARK REGULATIONS • If you have an emergency, call 911. If you observe any violation of these rules, please tell a uniformed employee at an entry kiosk or at the campground kiosk (please provide the location of the problem). • Speed Limits: Please obey all posted speed limits. The speed limit in the campground is 15 mph. • Possession and consumption of alcoholic beverages is prohibited in all day-use areas. • Motorized vehicles driven in the park (e.g., cars, motorbikes, children’s miniature motorcycles, and golf carts) must be registered with the DMV and have a street-legal license plate. • Your campground or day-use receipt must be displayed in the lower left corner of your windshield (driver’s side). • Parking is allowed in designated spaces only. No double parking is allowed and vehicles may not park in pull-through spaces at the launch ramps unless pulling a trailer. Please keep vehicles on the pavement at all times. Driving off-road is prohibited except for the launching of sail and hand-powered watercraft. • Vehicles must display disabled plates/placards when parking in disabled spaces. Vehicles displaying disabled plates/placards may park on the beach at Sail Cove. • All park wildlife and plants are protected. Please do not feed, ha