Stories Remaining To Be Told : Vasquez Canyon at Lake Lopez

A dam is built, a lake appears and access to Vasquez Canyon disappears.

The back side of Grieb Ranch overlooking a very shallow Lopez lake.

The back side of Grieb Ranch overlooking a very shallow Lopez lake.

The terrain surrounding Lopez Lake, located around the bend and behind Grieb Ranch consists of steep, sharp hills. Hills which provide rainfall a quick decent into man-made Lopez Lake. The Lopez Dam was built in 1969 and is operated by the San Luis Obispo County Flood Control and Water Conservation District. The year it was built heavy rains filled the basin it created and Lopez Lake was born quite quickly.

Today, water activities such as fishing, water skiing, boating, kayaking and swimming all take place on or near Lopez Lake. Currently some activities have been curtailed due to the affects of the on-going drought. Lopez Lake also serves as the primary water source for Arroyo Grande residents. Without the dam the rainfall swishing down the slopes of the steep hills would rush down the creek and into the ocean.

The filling of Lopez Lake cut off access to Vasquez Canyon a neighboring Canyon to Grieb Ranch. Exploration of Vasquez Canyon off the West arm of Lopez Lake side turns up remains of memories and activities past with stories unknown.

The Nelson Place, Routzhen Park, Girls’ Camp all hold memories which are held up in these remains still waiting to tell their story.

Does anyone know the stories these remains could tell?

Vasquez Canyon Chimney

Vasquez Canyon Chimney

Chimney Face

Chimney Face

basement

A Basement

 

Box-spring bed

Box-spring bed

Another Chimney

Another Chimney

Frog Pond

Frog Pond

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