Picture this. It is a sunny day in San Diego County. You are standing at the edge of Lake Henshaw. This reservoir is nestled at the southeast base of Palomar Mountain. It is about 70 miles northeast of San Diego. Los Angeles is 100 miles southeast.
Lake Henshaw offers more than just a scenic view. It is a testament to human ingenuity and the ever-changing landscape of Southern California. In 1923 Henshaw Dam was built. The dam is an earth dam. It is 123 feet tall and 650 feet long.
Vista Irrigation District owns Lake Henshaw. It is mainly used for agricultural irrigation. The lake covers about 1,140 acres. When full, it holds 55,000 acre-feet of water. However, it once held much more. Its original capacity was 203,581 acre-feet. This was lowered in 1978. Earthquake concerns prompted this change.
Lake Henshaw drains an area of 207 square miles. This area is at the source of the San Luis Rey River. The lake’s story is one of booms and busts.
Back in the 1920s, Lake Henshaw was a sportsman’s paradise. Model T Fords brought families. They came for hunting and fishing. Labor Day in 1947 saw a record 10,000 anglers. They crowded the 25 miles of shoreline. People rented boats from a fleet of 450. Today, there are only 46 rental boats. 26 of them have motors.
Southern California’s playground peaked around 1939. A 50-inch rainfall filled the lake. It circled the legendary Monkey Island. It is now called Monkey Hill. The lake once stretched five miles north from the boat landing. This was written by former San Diego Union outdoor writer Rolla Williams.
In 1978, the state ordered the Vista Irrigation District to modify the dam. This was to meet earthquake safety standards. The earthen fill dam sits on the Elsinore Fault. It became a concern for state inspectors. After the dam was modified, Henshaw never covered the valley again.
Despite the changes, Lake Henshaw never lost its charm. It offers year-round fishing. You can catch catfish and carp. Boats and cabins are available for rental. The Fly Stop organizes The Carp Throwdown fly fishing tournament.
Janice Mendenhall and her husband Frank run the concession. They want to bring Lake Henshaw back to its former glory. Rainbow trout were added to the lake. It had been over 30 years since they were last stocked. Previous managers thought trout were not a good investment. They believed the water was too warm. But the stocked trout brought more anglers. An 8-pound rainbow trout was caught.
Lake Henshaw’s story is etched in every ripple. From its construction to its fluctuating water levels, it mirrors the region’s resilience. It has adapted to environmental shifts. Lake Henshaw remains a destination. It invites all to appreciate its beauty.