Newest reservoirs in California
The year that a reservoir was first filled to the reservoir’s normal elevation – or the year that a natural lake was first dammed – is the determining factor in the age of the body of water. A large reservoir can take more than a year to fill after its dam is first closed. You can find many of the the world’s newest reservoirs on LakeLubbers in the comparison table below. Many of the world’s oldest reservoirs appear on the last page of that list. Note: For some lakes, the completion year data is unknown, so you may see fewer lakes than the total 75 articles we have published for California lakes.Thinking about booking a California lake vacation home rental, cabin or hotel?
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Below are lakes within USA > US West Region > California > Compared by newest (youngest) reservoirs and the year it was completed. This list does not represent all lakes in California, only the 75 California lake articles we have published on the LakeLubbers website.
Lake name  |
Completion year |
Lake description |
|---|---|---|
| Quarry Lakes (Bay Area Region, CA, California, US West Region, USA) |
2000 | Also known as Horseshoe Lake, Rainbow Lake, Lago Los Osos In an amazing display of landscape renovation, California’s Bay Area created a much-loved recreational area featuring the Quarry Lakes. Horseshoe, Rai… |
| Diamond Valley Lake, CA (California, Inland Empire Region, CA, US West Region, USA) |
1999 | Also known as Diamond Valley Reservoir Diamond Valley Lake lies between two mountains in California’s Inland Empire tourism region. The 4,500-acre lake is Southern California’s newest and l… |
| Los Vaqueros Reservoir (Bay Area Region, CA, California, US West Region, USA) |
1997 | Also known as Los Vaqueros Lake The Los Vaqueros Reservoir in the San Francisco Bay area is being remodeled! Soon to be re-opened, Los Vaqueros Lake is going to be even bigger and be… |
| Lake Sonoma, CA (California, North Coast Region, CA, US West Region, USA) |
1983 | In 1983 the US Army Corps of Engineers completed the Warm Springs Dam, and the almost limitless recreation opportunities of Sonoma County California e… |
| New Melones Lake, CA (California, Gold Country Region, CA, US West Region, USA) |
1979 | Also known as New Melones Reservoir Gently placed into the central Sierra Nevada Mountains near Sonora in Calaveras County, New Melones Lake holds the title of fourth largest reservoir b… |
| Silverwood Lake, CA (California, Inland Empire Region, CA, US West Region, USA) |
1972 | Also known as Lake Silverwood Rimmed with live oak, manzanita, and mountain mahogany and set against the backdrop of the snow-capped San Bernardino Mountains, Silverwood Lake is an… |
| Don Pedro Lake, CA (California, Gold Country Region, CA, US West Region, USA) |
1971 | Also known as Lake Don Pedro, Don Pedro Reservoir Don Pedro Lake, also known as Don Pedro Reservoir and Lake Don Pedro, is nestled into the foothills of the Sierra Nevada Mountains. With a surface are… |
| Pine Mountain Lake, CA (California, Gold Country Region, CA, US West Region, USA) |
1970 | Pine Mountain Lake is a private lake and community in Tuolomne County California. With amenities that include a golf course, restaurant and stables op… |
| New Bullards Bar Reservoir, CA (California, Gold Country Region, CA, US West Region, USA) |
1970 | Also known as Bullards Bar Reservoir New Bullards Bar Reservoir is located on the west side of the Sierra Nevada Mountains in Yuba County, California, surrounded by the Tahoe and Plumas N… |
| Lake Wildwood CA (California, Gold Country Region, CA, US West Region, USA) |
1970 | A delightful private lake in California’s Gold Country, Lake Wildwood is ideally placed to furnish variety and enjoyment. The 290-acre man-made lake i… |
| San Luis Reservoir, CA (California, Central Valley Region, CA, US West Region, USA) |
1969 | A sparkling sapphire gem carved into the eastern edge of the San Joaquin Valley, the San Luis Reservoir enjoys a scenic location in Merced County. Thi… |
| Lake Oroville, CA (California, Shasta Cascade Region, CA, US West Region, USA) |
1967 | Also known as Oroville Reservoir Lake Oroville, snuggled into the Sierra Nevada Foothills about 75 miles north of Sacramento, is one of northern California’s favorite playgrounds. Boa… |
