Lake Don Pedro, California
Lake Don Pedro | |
|---|---|
Don Pedro Lake | |
Location in Mariposa County, California | |
Lake Don Pedro Location in California Lake Don Pedro Lake Don Pedro (the United States) | |
| Coordinates: 37°38′46″N 120°20′12″W / 37.64611°N 120.33667°W | |
| Country | United States |
| State | California |
| County | Mariposa County |
| Area | |
• Total | 19.707 sq mi (51.04 km2) |
| • Land | 18.421 sq mi (47.71 km2) |
| • Water | 1.286 sq mi (3.33 km2) 6.53% |
| Elevation | 1,122 ft (342 m) |
| Population (2020)[3] | |
• Total | 1,765 |
| • Density | 95.8/sq mi (37.0/km2) |
| Time zone | UTC−8 (Pacific) |
| • Summer (DST) | UTC−7 (PDT) |
| ZIP Codes | |
| GNIS feature ID | 2627934[2] |
Lake Don Pedro is a census-designated place (CDP) in Mariposa County, California, United States. The community occupies the northwestern corner of the county at an elevation of 1,122 feet (342 m), surrounding portions of Don Pedro Reservoir in the Sierra Nevada foothills. The population was 1,765 at the 2020 United States census, an increase from 1,077 in 2010.[3]
The community takes its name from Don Pedro Reservoir, created by the original Don Pedro Dam in 1923 and greatly enlarged by the New Don Pedro Dam in 1971. California State Route 132 passes through the northern part of the CDP, connecting it to La Grange to the west and Coulterville to the east.
History
The area around Lake Don Pedro was part of the traditional territory of the Southern Sierra Miwok people prior to European contact. The California Gold Rush of 1849 brought settlers to the surrounding region, with mining camps developing along the Tuolumne River and Merced River drainages.
The original Don Pedro Dam was completed in 1923, impounding the Tuolumne River to create Don Pedro Reservoir. The dam was named for Pierre "Don Pedro" Sainsevain, a French immigrant and early winemaker who operated a store and bar near the dam site during the Gold Rush era.[4]
In 1971, the New Don Pedro Dam was completed approximately 1.5 miles (2.4 km) downstream of the original, creating a much larger reservoir. The Turlock Irrigation District and Modesto Irrigation District jointly operate the facility for irrigation, hydroelectric power generation, and flood control. The enlarged reservoir and its recreational opportunities attracted residential development in the surrounding foothills.
Lake Don Pedro first appeared as a census-designated place in the 2010 United States census.[5]
Geography
Lake Don Pedro occupies the northwestern corner of Mariposa County, bordered to the north and west by Tuolumne County and to the southwest by Merced County. The terrain consists of rolling, oak-studded foothills typical of the western Sierra Nevada at elevations between roughly 800 and 1,500 feet (240 and 460 m).
According to the United States Census Bureau, the CDP covers an area of 19.707 square miles (51.04 km2), of which 18.421 square miles (47.71 km2) are land and 1.286 square miles (3.33 km2) (6.53%) are water.[1]
California State Route 132 passes through the northern part of the community, leading east 13 miles (21 km) to Coulterville and west 8 miles (13 km) to La Grange. Modesto is approximately 40 miles (64 km) to the west via State Route 132 and State Route 59.
Climate
Lake Don Pedro has a hot-summer Mediterranean climate (Köppen climate classification Csa), characteristic of the lower Sierra Nevada foothills. Summers are hot and dry, with average high temperatures exceeding 90 °F (32 °C) in July and August. Winters are mild and wet, with most precipitation falling between November and March. Snow is rare at this elevation.
Demographics
| Census | Pop. | Note | %± |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2010 | 1,077 | — | |
| 2020 | 1,765 | 63.9% | |
| U.S. Decennial Census[6] | |||
The 2020 United States census reported that Lake Don Pedro had a population of 1,765. The population density was 95.8 inhabitants per square mile (37.0/km2). The racial makeup was 1,303 (73.8%) White, 3 (0.2%) African American, 29 (1.6%) Native American, 37 (2.1%) Asian, 3 (0.2%) Pacific Islander, 126 (7.1%) from other races, and 264 (15.0%) from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 303 persons (17.2%).[7]
There were 719 households, of which 149 (20.7%) had children under 18. Married-couple households numbered 432 (60.1%), while 148 (20.6%) were one-person households. The average household size was 2.45.[7] There were 518 families (72.0% of all households).[8]
The age distribution was 266 persons (15.1%) under 18, 93 (5.3%) aged 18 to 24, 345 (19.5%) aged 25 to 44, 569 (32.2%) aged 45 to 64, and 492 (27.9%) aged 65 or older. The median age was 54.7 years.[7]
There were 923 housing units, of which 719 (77.9%) were occupied. Of occupied units, 602 (83.7%) were owner-occupied and 117 (16.3%) were renter-occupied.[7]
Government
In the California State Legislature, Lake Don Pedro is in the 4th senatorial district, represented by Republican Marie Alvarado-Gil, and in the 8th Assembly district, represented by Republican David Tangipa.
In the United States House of Representatives, Lake Don Pedro is in California's 5th congressional district, represented by Republican Tom McClintock.
Transportation
State Route 132 is the primary highway through Lake Don Pedro, running east–west through the northern portion of the CDP. The route connects the community to La Grange 8 miles (13 km) to the west and Coulterville 13 miles (21 km) to the east.
The nearest state highways providing access to Yosemite National Park are State Route 49 to the east and State Route 120 to the north.
See also
- Don Pedro Reservoir
- Coulterville, California
- Greeley Hill, California
- Bear Valley, Mariposa County, California
References
- ^ a b "2021 U.S. Gazetteer Files: California". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved July 26, 2022.
- ^ a b U.S. Geological Survey Geographic Names Information System: Lake Don Pedro, California
- ^ a b "P1. Race – Lake Don Pedro CDP, California: 2020 DEC Redistricting Data (PL 94-171)". U.S. Census Bureau. Retrieved July 26, 2022.
- ^ "New Don Pedro Dam". U.S. Bureau of Reclamation. Retrieved February 9, 2026.
- ^ "2010 Census of Population and Housing: Population and Housing Unit Counts – California" (PDF). United States Census Bureau. Retrieved July 26, 2022.
- ^ "Census of Population and Housing". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved June 4, 2016.
- ^ a b c d "Lake Don Pedro CDP, California; DP1: Profile of General Population and Housing Characteristics – 2020 Census of Population and Housing". U.S. Census Bureau. Retrieved May 23, 2025.
- ^ "Lake Don Pedro CDP, California; P16: Household Type – 2020 Census of Population and Housing". U.S. Census Bureau. Retrieved May 23, 2025.