Virginia Lake on a sunny November day with the south fountain ejecting water in the shape of an upside-down cone (2013)
South Reno's
Virginia Lake was originally designed
for swimming. Now activities are restricted
to the paved promenade, picnic areas and park patches
around the reservoir. The lake is reserved for—or
should I write invaded by—birds. A lakeshore panel
lists its most frequent waterfowl species:
mallard (wild duck), California gull, American coot,
Canada goose and Chinese swan goose. Ornithologically,
you are facing international waters.
The
Virginia Lake Loop Trail is a one-mile-long,
paved walking path around the lake. Benches, picnic areas and small
side-parks including a dog park and a playground can be found next
to the lake. Usually, you won't see a boat on the lake. But
exceptions have been witnessed; for example, a row boat with
UNR researchers studying water quality and temperature
[College of Agriculture, Biotechnology & Natural Resources].
Constructed by the Works Progress
Administration (WPA) between
1936 and 1938, today's Renoites and visitors know the man-made lake
as a recreational site.
The lake also serves as a detention
reservoir for flood control and irrigation (see
Living New Deal).
The overflow outlet and the fountains have recently been
modernized.
