Top of the World Reservoir

The Top of the World Reservoir, officially the Richard Jahraus Top of the World Reservoir is an artificial lake in Laguna Beach, California. Dedicated on October 27, 1996, it was named after J. Richard Jahraus, the current Director and President of the Laguna Beach County Water District at the Time. It has a capacity of 3,000,000 usgal. Its main use is to supply water for authorities to fight against wildfires, with the high elevation allowing water circulation despite power outages. The lake is underground in a tank, below the Alta Laguna Park.

History
Construction began on the lake in early August 1995, costing $3.9 million at the time. The water district board awarded the contract on July 14, and the planning commission previously approved construction in September 1994. The project was set into action after the Laguna Beach Fire, which destroyed 441 homes. Firemen were unable to stop it sooner due to a lack of water available. It was completed a year later, in August 1996.

Controversy
The project was objected to by environmentalists who complained about the loss of open space, as the neighborhood the reservoir was being built in, the Top of the World, had to close a few hiking trails in its Alta Laguna Park due to construction occurring.