|
History of Spring LakeSpring Lake was originally constructed by Sonoma Water from 1961 to 1964 as a flood protection reservoir. The lake consists of three steel and concrete dams, spillways, channels and flow regulators to protect Santa Rosa from flooding.
The lake is designed to accommodate water equal to a 100-year flood, meaning a storm that has a one in 100 chance of occurring on any given year. Only once, in 1986, has flooding been so severe that it exceeded Spring Lake’s capacity 
This aerial view shows the Spring Lake reservoir shortly after its creation in 1963. (Don Meacham Photography Collection 1930-1985, Sonoma County Library Photograph Collection)
|
In 1973, the young Sonoma County Regional Parks Department (established in 1967) added Spring Lake as one of its first county parks.
Originally, the City of Santa Rosa intended to build an extension of Highway 12 that would involve a bridge over the park, connecting Highway 101 to the Sonoma Valley. Over the years, as visitation to the popular park reached hundreds of thousands of guests annually, this proposal met with stiff opposition.
By the early 2000s, the City gave up on this proposal. To celebrate, community members who had fought the highway extension installed a bench at Spring Lake Park in the exact location where the highway extension had been proposed.
Originally, the City of Santa Rosa intended to build an extension of Highway 12 that would involve a bridge over the park, connecting Highway 101 to the Sonoma Valley. Over the years, as visitation to the popular park reached hundreds of thousands of guests annually, this proposal met with stiff opposition.
By the early 2000s, the City gave up on this proposal. To celebrate, community members who had fought the highway extension installed a bench at Spring Lake Park in the exact location where the highway extension had been proposed.
|
|
To learn more about this achievement, please read more about the history here.
Celebrating Spring Lake Regional Park's Golden Anniversary
In 2023, the nonprofit Sonoma County Parks Foundation, Sonoma County Regional Parks and Sonoma Water will celebrate the park’s 50th anniversary. Regional Parks kicks off the anniversary year May 6-7 with a weekend of activities (hotlink) at the park.
The Parks Foundation will launch a Spring Lake 50th Anniversary fundraising campaign for improvements at the beloved park and the popular Environmental Discovery Center, as well as youth programs. Funds raised through the campaign will support:
The Parks Foundation will launch a Spring Lake 50th Anniversary fundraising campaign for improvements at the beloved park and the popular Environmental Discovery Center, as well as youth programs. Funds raised through the campaign will support:
- Constructing a new floating dock with accessible kayak launch
- Upgrading the Environmental Discovery Center
- Supporting children with limited resources at Regional Parks' summer camps and youth programs.
In honor of the 50th anniversary, gifts of $50 and above will receive a special Spring Lake bandanna, and gifts of $500 and above will receive a commemorative Spring Lake pendant.
|
The Parks Foundation also is planning some fun activities that you can explore independently to celebrate Spring Lake’s 50th Anniversary. Click below to learn more: (these would need to open up to individual pages)
We look forward to celebrating this important park milestone with you!
- “How well do YOU know Spring Lake Regional Park?” – a family-friendly scavenger hunt
- Spring Lake 50th Anniversary Photo Contest – Take photos of your favorite park! Win prizes!
We look forward to celebrating this important park milestone with you!
Thank you Spring Lake 50th Anniversary Donors!
