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Dixon Reservoir

Coordinates: 33°09′39″N 117°02′45″W / 33.1607751°N 117.0458006°W / 33.1607751; -117.0458006
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Dixon Reservoir
Dixon Lake
Location of the reservoir in California.
Location of the reservoir in California.
Dixon Reservoir
LocationEscondido, California
Coordinates33°09′39″N 117°02′45″W / 33.1607751°N 117.0458006°W / 33.1607751; -117.0458006
TypeReservoir
Basin countriesUnited States
Managing agencyCity of Escondido
Built1971
Surface area69 acres (28 ha)
Surface elevation1,070 ft (330 m)
SettlementsEscondido, California
Websitewww.escondido.org/dixon-lake
References[1]

Dixon Reservoir, also known as Dixon Lake, is a small man-made reservoir in the north of Escondido, California. It has been regularly noted to produce the largest kind of largemouth bass in the world.

Dixon Lake is considered a popular place for picnics, camping, and fishing. The State of California Department of Fish and Wildlife granted the lake an Aquaculture Permit; fishing licenses are no longer required.[2] The city stocks different types of fish throughout the year, including bass, bluegill, carp, catfish, crappie, and trout.

Description

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Dixon Reservoir is a small man-made reservoir[3] created by the construction of the Dixon Reservoir Dam.[1] Dixon Reservoir is in the city of Escondido, California,[4] in San Diego County.[5] Its altitude is 1,070 ft (330 m) and it has an area of 69 acres (28 ha).[4] As of September 2020, areas to fish are open to the public, at pre-marked spots.[6] Along with fishing and picnicking, camping has been a popular recreational activity at Dixon Lake with 44 campsites.[7][8]

History

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Dixon Reservoir was constructed in 1971 after a water shortage act was passed a decade before.[9][1] It was built during the peak of recreational fishing in San Diego, with the plan of creating a good fishery and recreational facility.[1] Dixon Reservoir rose to fame in the 2000s after a series of big bass catches. It has been regularly noted to produce the largest kind of largemouth bass in the world.[1] Beginning in 2001, when a 20 lb 12 oz (9.4 kg) largemouth bass was caught. In 2003, the same largemouth bass was caught weighing 21 lb 11 oz (9.8 kg), now nicknamed "Dottie". In 2006, "Dottie" was caught for the third time weighing in at 25 lb (11 kg), although it did not count for any world, state, or lake records as it had been foul hooked.[10][1][11] The current record for largest largemouth bass stands at 22 lb 5 oz (10.1 kg).[12]

Weather

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Dixon Reservoir has a hot-summer Mediterranean climate, like most of San Diego. In the summer the weather is hot, while in the winter the weather is cool and wet. Because of the Reservoir's inland setting it is considerably warmer than coastal cities. The yearly precipitation averages around 15 in (380 mm) but may vary from year to year. Most precipitation takes place between November through March.[13] The water temperature normally sits around 76 °F (24 °C).[14][15]

Climate data for Escondido No 2, California (normals 1981–2010)(extremes 1900-2020)
Month Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec Year
Record high °F (°C) 92.0
(33.3)
94.0
(34.4)
98.0
(36.7)
103.0
(39.4)
104.0
(40.0)
106.0
(41.1)
112.0
(44.4)
109.0
(42.8)
115.0
(46.1)
106.0
(41.1)
98.0
(36.7)
92.0
(33.3)
115.0
(46.1)
Mean maximum °F (°C) 83.0
(28.3)
84.0
(28.9)
85.0
(29.4)
90.0
(32.2)
92.0
(33.3)
94.0
(34.4)
98.0
(36.7)
99.0
(37.2)
101.0
(38.3)
95.0
(35.0)
87.0
(30.6)
81.0
(27.2)
104.0
(40.0)
Mean daily maximum °F (°C) 68.8
(20.4)
69.1
(20.6)
71.1
(21.7)
74.9
(23.8)
77.8
(25.4)
82.1
(27.8)
87.4
(30.8)
89.0
(31.7)
86.5
(30.3)
80.6
(27.0)
74.2
(23.4)
68.3
(20.2)
77.5
(25.3)
Daily mean °F (°C) 56.0
(13.3)
56.8
(13.8)
59.1
(15.1)
62.7
(17.1)
66.3
(19.1)
70.3
(21.3)
74.9
(23.8)
76.2
(24.6)
74.0
(23.3)
68.0
(20.0)
60.9
(16.1)
55.1
(12.8)
65.0
(18.3)
Mean daily minimum °F (°C) 43.1
(6.2)
44.6
(7.0)
47.2
(8.4)
50.6
(10.3)
54.9
(12.7)
58.5
(14.7)
62.4
(16.9)
63.4
(17.4)
61.5
(16.4)
55.4
(13.0)
47.6
(8.7)
41.9
(5.5)
52.6
(11.4)
Mean minimum °F (°C) 33.0
(0.6)
35.0
(1.7)
38.0
(3.3)
42.0
(5.6)
47.0
(8.3)
51.0
(10.6)
57.0
(13.9)
56.0
(13.3)
53.0
(11.7)
47.0
(8.3)
37.0
(2.8)
32.0
(0.0)
30.0
(−1.1)
Record low °F (°C) 22.0
(−5.6)
26.0
(−3.3)
26.0
(−3.3)
29.0
(−1.7)
33.0
(0.6)
38.0
(3.3)
41.0
(5.0)
36.0
(2.2)
38.0
(3.3)
32.0
(0.0)
26.0
(−3.3)
24.0
(−4.4)
22.0
(−5.6)
Average precipitation inches (mm) 3.03
(77)
3.41
(87)
2.65
(67)
1.15
(29)
0.25
(6.4)
0.12
(3.0)
0.08
(2.0)
0.08
(2.0)
0.21
(5.3)
0.71
(18)
1.17
(30)
2.14
(54)
15
(380.7)
Source: NOAA[16]

References

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  1. ^ a b c d e f "Dixon Lake Good Fishery and Recreational Facility". SDfish. 2019. Archived from the original on May 13, 2020. Retrieved May 16, 2020.
  2. ^ Staff, NC Daily Star (June 28, 2018). "Dixon Lake Night fishing Season begins July 12, 2018…." Archived from the original on June 24, 2020. Retrieved June 22, 2020.
  3. ^ "Dixon Lake". Archived from the original on July 9, 2021. Retrieved July 7, 2021.
  4. ^ a b U.S. Geological Survey Geographic Names Information System: Dixon Reservoir
  5. ^ "Daley Ranch - City of Escondido". www.escondido.org. Archived from the original on July 9, 2021. Retrieved July 8, 2021.
  6. ^ "Dixon Lake, City of Escondido". Escondido. 2020. Archived from the original on May 9, 2020. Retrieved May 15, 2020.
  7. ^ "Dixon Lake - City of Escondido". www.escondido.org. Archived from the original on July 11, 2021. Retrieved July 10, 2021.
  8. ^ "Night fishing at Dixon Lake through August". Times Advocate. August 11, 2018. Archived from the original on June 24, 2020. Retrieved June 22, 2020.
  9. ^ "History of Water Supply Development - City of Escondido". escondido.org. Archived from the original on July 9, 2021. Retrieved July 7, 2021.
  10. ^ "From the Archives: Dixon Lake's Dottie". March 25, 2018. Archived from the original on July 9, 2021. Retrieved August 16, 2021.
  11. ^ Carter, Kyle (May 9, 2008). "The One That Got Away". ESPN. Archived from the original on July 9, 2021. Retrieved July 7, 2021.
  12. ^ "New catfish record for Dixon Lake, quality trout fill stringers". February 9, 2021. Archived from the original on July 11, 2021. Retrieved August 16, 2021.
  13. ^ Team, National Weather Service Corporate Image Web. "National Weather Service - NWS San Diego". w2.weather.gov. Archived from the original on April 26, 2021. Retrieved July 8, 2021.
  14. ^ Cowan, Ernie (November 3, 2014). "Water temperature postpones annual Dixon Lake Trout Derby". The San Diego Union Tribune. Archived from the original on July 9, 2021. Retrieved July 8, 2021.
  15. ^ "Fish Report - City of Escondido". escondido.org. Archived from the original on July 9, 2021. Retrieved July 8, 2021.
  16. ^ "NOWData – NOAA Online Weather Data". National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. Archived from the original on April 26, 2021. Retrieved August 16, 2021. Retrieved on February 8, 2021.
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