Gene Wash Reservoir | Lake Havasu City

Gene Wash Reservoir is a strategically important artificial reservoir located in San Bernardino County, California, near the Arizona border, roughly 15 miles south of Lake Havasu City. It functions primarily as a critical component of the Colorado River Aqueduct system, which is responsible for supplying water from the Colorado River to the metropolitan areas of Southern California. The reservoir is not designed or widely used for recreation but rather for water storage and management as part of a complex infrastructure network.

Location and Physical Characteristics

Situated at an elevation of approximately 738 feet above sea level, Gene Wash Reservoir lies near Parker Dam, one of the significant dams on the Colorado River that creates Lake Havasu. The reservoir occupies a remote desert area accessible by roads like Trail End Camp Road, and it is surrounded by typical arid terrain consisting of desert scrub and rocky outcrops. Nearby landmarks include the Copper Basin Reservoir to the north and the Parker Dam just a few miles away.

The Gene Wash Reservoir area also features a small private-use airstrip, the Gene Wash Reservoir Airport (ICAO code: 5CL7), which caters to small aircraft and supports access for maintenance and operations related to the reservoir and aqueduct system.

Role in the Colorado River Aqueduct System

Gene Wash Reservoir is a key intermediate storage basin within the Colorado River Aqueduct, which is a massive infrastructure project engineered to transport water over long distances from the Colorado River to areas such as Los Angeles and San Diego counties.

Water Movement: Water is pumped from Lake Havasu into Gene Wash Reservoir through the Whitsett Intake Pumping Plant located on Lake Havasu. The reservoir then serves as a holding area where water is temporarily stored before being pumped again at the Gene Pumping Plant, which is located to the southwest of the reservoir. This multi-step pumping process allows water to be elevated in stages as it travels through the aqueduct’s complex network of tunnels, siphons, and pipelines.

Elevation Gain: The aqueduct system is designed to lift water over significant elevation changes. From Gene Wash Reservoir, the water continues to Copper Basin Reservoir and eventually reaches the Julian Hinds Pumping Plant. This final pumping station raises the water over 1,600 feet above the original level at Lake Havasu, allowing gravity flow to the populated regions it serves.

This staged pumping and storage system is vital for overcoming the natural geographic barriers posed by the desert terrain and ensuring a reliable water supply to millions of people.

Environmental and Safety Considerations

Gene Wash Reservoir is subject to environmental monitoring and advisories due to contamination concerns related to the local ecosystem:

Fish Consumption Advisory: The California Office of Environmental Health Hazard Assessment (OEHHA) has issued consumption guidelines for fish caught in the reservoir due to the presence of contaminants such as mercury, PCBs (polychlorinated biphenyls), or other pollutants. These advisories recommend limits on the amount and frequency of fish consumption to reduce health risks for humans.

Limited Recreational Use: Due to its primary function as a water management reservoir and the presence of contamination concerns, Gene Wash Reservoir is not commonly used for recreational activities like fishing, boating, or swimming. Access to the reservoir is mainly for maintenance personnel and infrastructure operations.

Surrounding Features and Infrastructure

Gene Wash Reservoir is part of a broader system of water management facilities that include:

Copper Basin Reservoir: Located about 5.5 miles north of Gene Wash Reservoir, this reservoir also serves the aqueduct system by providing additional water storage and flow regulation.

Parker Dam and Lake Havasu: Just a few miles north, Parker Dam forms Lake Havasu, a large reservoir that serves as the initial intake point for water entering the Colorado River Aqueduct. Lake Havasu is a significant recreational area but also the primary source of water managed through Gene Wash Reservoir.

Summary

Gene Wash Reservoir is an essential but largely unseen component of Southern California’s water infrastructure. Its function as an intermediate water storage site within the Colorado River Aqueduct system ensures a steady and managed flow of water from the Colorado River basin to urban centers hundreds of miles away. While the reservoir does not serve as a recreational destination due to environmental concerns and its industrial role, it exemplifies the complex engineering and resource management efforts necessary to support water needs in arid regions.

Understanding the reservoir’s role highlights the critical balance between infrastructure, environmental stewardship, and regional water security in one of the driest parts of the United States.