Bard Lake, also known as Wood Ranch Reservoir, is a 231 acres (93 ha)[1] reservoir which is the largest lake in Simi Valley, California.[2] It is east of the intersection of Olsen Road and Moorpark Freeway, near the border between Simi Valley and Thousand Oaks.[3] Built in 1965, Bard Lake is a 416 feet (127 m) high reservoir with a capacity of 11,000 acre-feet (3.6×109 US gal). It is an earthen dam which is owned by the Calleguas Water District.[4][5]
Bard Lake | |
---|---|
Wood Ranch Reservoir | |
Bard Lake | |
Location | Simi Valley, California |
Coordinates | 34.238°N 118.826°W / 34.238; -118.826 |
Type | reservoir |
Surface area | 231 acres (93 ha) |
Water volume | 11,000 acre-feet (14,000,000 m3) |
Although the lake is fenced, there are numerous hiking trails in the area.[6] Sunset Hills Open Space is a 410 acres (170 ha) adjacent preserve with hiking trails. Known for its rich avifauna, some of the bird species found here include White-tailed kites, Northern harriers, Anna's hummingbirds and Red-tailed hawks.[7] Other fauna include rabbits, coyotes, mountain lions, bobcats, roadrunners, quail and vultures.[8][9]
Nearby Sinaloa Lake is situated below Bard Lake in an adjacent part of the same watershed.