Almanac note · Outdoors
Santee Lakes turns recycled water into a recreation preserve
Santee Lakes gives the city a park and campground built around seven recycled-water lakes, with fishing, cabins, trails, playgrounds, birds, and water reuse on display.
Santee Lakes is a park, campground, fishing spot, and water-reuse lesson all at once. Padre Dam Municipal Water District owns and operates it. That makes the water system part of the story instead of something hidden behind a fence.
The preserve covers about 190 acres around seven recycled-water lakes. Water from the Ray Stoyer Water Reclamation Facility flows through the lakes. The park has camping, cabins, fishing, boating, playgrounds, walking trails, events, and many bird species.
That is a very California kind of outdoor place: recreation built around careful water reuse. A visit can still be simple. Check camping, fishing, boat, fee, and event details ahead of time. Then enjoy the lakes and the practical system behind them.
Where to see it
Santee Lakes Recreation Preserve. Check Santee Lakes and Padre Dam pages for camping, fishing, fees, and events.
Official sources
Official source trail
Reviewed June 30, 2026
California Porch explains the path. The official source is still the place to confirm the current rule, fee, form, map, deadline, or office decision.
Use the official page before you spend money, file paperwork, rely on a deadline, or change a property.
Connected places
Where it fits on the map
Open a place page for the county layer, nearby places, and other California entries tied to that local page.
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