Lake Lahontan is a much different place than it was two years ago. After four years of drought, the lake was nearly empty. Officials say only about 50 people visited the lake each day. After two wet winters, the lake is back to normal and it is a popular summer destination again. Crowds are still there, even now that Independence Day is over.
"We'll have a couple thousand people a day for the weekends or a holiday like this," Anthony Beauregard, Park Superintendent said.
Beauregard says since the Fourth of July landed on a Wednesday, many people used the week as an extended vacation, saying about 500 camps have been filled since Saturday. Tracey Rasmussen is part of a group from Gardnerville that has been camping on the beach for several days.
"We've been coming here for about 20 years, altogether," Rasmussen said. "It's nice because for a couple years we couldn't come at all and now we can come almost the whole summer and there's a lot of water. The kids are enjoying it."
Rasmussen bought a season pass for $200. Others can buy a day pass for $5 or a camping pass for $15.Â
"They're collecting passes as far as yearly fees and day passes," Rasmussen said. "It's $15 a day to camp, so it all adds up which is good for the economy."
Beauregard says the amount of revenue is much higher than in recent years. The money is intended to go back to the state parks to keep them clean and safe.
"Even before the holiday, we had some $20,000 weekends, $10,000 days, some things like that, which is close to record numbers for us," Beauregard said.
The reservoir's primary purpose is irrigation for farmers near Fallon, so the water level has been steadily dropping throughout the summer. There is nearly 40,000 acre-feet less water than last year, at this time, when the record snowpack of 2017 had enough water content to fill the lake three times. Still, this year's levels are looking pretty good.
"It's so wonderful to have such a big lake of water, so close to home that's different from Tahoe," Charlotte Nordman, Carson City resident said. "Little bit warmer, little bit closer to home."
Nordman is spending the day at the lake, saying the weather and the lake conditions are perfect.
"I'm going to float around on the tube, go on the jet ski, enjoy the sunshine," Nordman said.
The beaches are lined with RVs, boats and jet skis. Kids can be found fishing on paddle boats and kayaks. The water is also a welcome sight for dogs.
"It's fun," Tucker Deines, Gardnerville resident said. "We get on boats, run around, have fun, fish. We're catching fish, having a lot of fun."
Rasmussen says the despite the high number of people, the lake does not seem too crowded. It all comes down to sharing the beaches and the lake.
"There's a lot of boaters on the water but everyone's pretty respectful of each other and boating etiquette and stuff, so it's been really fun," Rasmussen said.
Beauregard says boaters will probably be able to use the lake through October and says there is enough water that the lake is expected to be in good shape next year.
