Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee Approves
Bill to Create Museum near Diamond Valley Lake
September 22, 2000

Washington, DC – The Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee has unanimously approved legislation, sponsored by U.S. Senator Dianne Feinstein (D-Calif.), to create an interpretive center and museum near Diamond Valley Lake. Diamond Valley Lake is a reservoir that is being built in an unincorporated area of Riverside County, outside Hemet.

The interpretive center and museum will ensure the protection of the prehistorical resources uncovered during the lake's construction. Discoveries have included a mastodon skeleton, a mammoth skeleton, a seven-foot long tusk, and bones from extinct species previously not believed to have lived in the area, including the giant long-horned bison and North American lion.

“At this center, visitors will be able to learn about the archaeological and paleontological past of inland Southern California,” Senator Feinstein said. “Visitors will also be able to enjoy unprecedented recreational opportunities through a new system of hiking, biking, and equestrian trails that will surround the reservoir. I am pleased that the committee approved this legislation, and I am hopeful that the full Senate will pass this bill.”

The total cost of the project is estimated to be $58 million. Under this legislation, the federal government would be authorized to contribute $14 million towards this project. The remaining $44 million would be divided equally between the state, local governments and the Metropolitan Water District.

The Diamond Valley Lake was dedicated on March 18, 2000. Once completed, it will be 4.5 miles long, more than 2 miles wide, 160-260 feet deep and have a capacity of 800,000 acre-feet of water. The lake will provide critical water storage south of the Sacramento-San Joaquin Delta and almost double southern California's water surface storage capacity. For California, this new storage of water, will mean fewer water shortages during droughts and peak summer needs.