Stanislaus joins TID in approving Turlock Lake reopening. Here’s when it’ll happen
AI-generated summary reviewed by our newsroom.
- Boards approve 10-year state-county-TID pact; seasonal recreation starts summer 2027.
- County to manage day-use recreation after $7.5M state-funded improvements complete.
- Plan limits motorboats to 5–10 mph, adds aqua park and seasonal hunting access.
Proposals for reopening Turlock Lake to recreation were approved Tuesday, clearing a hurdle to start seasonal recreation activities in summer 2027.
The Stanislaus County Board of Supervisors and the Turlock Irrigation District board both unanimously approved a 10-year joint agreement with the state to reopen Turlock Lake State Recreation Area. The TID reservoir was closed to recreation six years ago when a concessionaire departed.
“This is a big win today,” said TID board member Michael Frantz of Hickman, who represents the lake area. “... This is a historic lake that has been used by my community for many years, and I’m delighted to see it invested in and be restored back to its old use and beauty.”
The county is planning family-friendly recreation with a waterpark, picnicking, swimming, fishing and other day-use recreation. The activities will include nonmotorized boating such as kayaking and canoeing.
While county residents likely have memories of boating and waterskiing at Turlock Lake, this time motorized boats will be limited to small-engine boats going 5 to 10 mph.
County supervisors were asked Tuesday about opening the recreation area’s campground. Tera Chumley, county parks and recreation director, said options for restoring camping will be explored in the third year of operations.
The county’s recreation plan includes a floating aqua park with inflatable attractions such as a playground, obstacle courses, slides and more. About $7.5 million in state-funded facility improvements — for day use and recreation areas, restrooms, parking, the boat launch and pump house — must be completed before the reservoir is opened for seasonal recreation.
Stanislaus County will manage recreation
Under the agreement, the county will manage recreation at Turlock Lake. The agreement says the state will provide funding to make the park facilities more accessible to the disabled.
The county plan calls for family friendly day-use recreation from May 1 through Sept. 30. Waterfowl hunting and special events will occur from Oct. 1 to April 30.
Some off-season activities may begin later this year, county staff said. The state stocks Turlock Lake with trout every year for anglers.
Tom Myers, a board member for the Stanislaus Audubon Society, said that reopening the recreation area will enable the group to continue field trips and allow people to enjoy the outdoors. State resources were committed to development of Dos Rios Ranch State Park and now it’s time for Turlock Lake, he said.
“We have waited a long time,” Myers said. “Since the pandemic the park has been off limits.”
Another option for Stanislaus County residents
A newly opened Turlock Lake will give Stanislaus County three reservoir parks for enjoyment during the hot summers. The county manages a gamut of recreation activities at Modesto Reservoir, including boating and overnight camping, and another park is Woodward Reservoir near Oakdale, where South San Joaquin Irrigation District is taking over recreation activities from Stanislaus County.
Termination of the agreement with SSJID, will allow the county to move sheriff law enforcement services from Woodward Reservoir to Turlock Lake, a county staff report said.
Board Chairman Vito Chiesa, whose district includes the reservoir, said he had been worried the recent state energy behind Dos Rios would result in a lower priority for Turlock Lake. But that has not been the case.
Two staff members from California State Parks attended Tuesday’s board meeting and expressed support for giving the necessary funds to Stanislaus County for reopening Turlock Lake. The funding comes from 2021 legislation intended to expand outdoor access to California’s inland waterways.
“We are going to start this and build something out there,” Chiesa said. “We have a vision, but it’s going to be one step at a time.”
TID has leased the reservoir site to California State Parks since 1950. After the closure in 2020, an assessment determined that $7.5 million in facility improvements were needed, partly to repair fire damage that occurred in 2022.
Turlock Lake is far smaller than Don Pedro Reservoir, TID’s main storage on the Tuolumne River. But it is useful in directing water to canals serving about 149,000 farmland acres in Stanislaus and northern Merced counties.
The recreation contract will not affect these operations, said Tristan Higgins, survey and right-of-way manager for TID. This includes using the lake’s porous bottom to recharge groundwater on the district’s east side.
Modesto Bee staff writer John Holland contributed to this report.
This story was originally published March 3, 2026 at 2:44 PM.
