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reclamation, water conservation, and commercial enterprise. It was 

 dredged out of the large tidal mudflat located about 2 miles north of 

 the northwest section of San Diego Bay, and lies entirely within the 

 city of San Diego. 



Development of the 4,600-acre aquatic playground was initiated in 

 1946 when the voters of the city of San Diego authorized a $2 million 

 bond issue to finance it. Shortly thereafter, the U.S. Army Corps of 

 Engineers established a floodway separating the San Diego River 

 from Mission Bay. Subsequent dredging operation by both the Corps 

 and the city of San Diego opened up the entire bay and created the 

 many coves and islands which form its land masses. 



By the end of 1966, the city had invested a total of $14.5 million 

 in the development of Mission Bay : $9 million from three bond issues, 

 and $5.5 million in capital outlay funds. The State of California con- 

 tributed 2,900 acres of tidelands, and $3.5 million for the realinement 

 of public utilities and the construction of new bridges. By the time of 

 its anticipated completion it has been estimated that a total of ap- 

 proximately $56 million in public funds, and $50 million in private 

 funds, will have been invested in Mission Bay. In short, many public 

 agencies and private groups have been and will continue to be, instru- 

 mental in the development of the $106 million water playground 

 known as Mission Bay. 



The park is a multiple-use project covering 2,500 acres of water 

 and 2,100 acres of land area. Most of the bay has a depth ranging 

 from 6 to 12 feet at mean lower low water. The park includes six 

 islands, 10 peninsulas, two small craft basins, 10 covers, the entrance 

 channel from the Pacific Ocean, two large open water areas, and Vaca- 

 tion Isle. Figure IV.3.6 shows the location of the park complex's vari- 

 ous recreational facilities. 



There are approximately 27 miles of beaches at Mission Bay with 

 supervised swimming in seven areas. During the 1965-66 fiscal year, 

 the total recorded attendance was 484,702 persons exclusive of the 

 low-attendance winter months. 



There is no charge for the use of the concrete launching ramps which 

 the city provides in designated sections of the bay. An estimated aver- 

 age of 200 boats are launched on weekdays, 600 over weekends. A spe- 

 cial area is set aside for sailboating and controlled-speed boating 

 activities. Four large marinas — with slips for 1,200 boats and dry 

 storage accommodations for 250 boats — serve the larger powerboats 

 and sailboats using the bay and the ocean beyond. Ultimately, it is 

 planned to construct slips for a total of 12,000 boats. Powerboat racing 

 on Mission Bay has attracted wide interest. Fiesta Bay can accommo- 

 date all classes of racing inboards including unlimited hydros. 



Sport fishing is permitted anywhere in the bay except for official 

 swimming areas and those designated for water ski landing and take- 

 offs. Anglers from the Metropolitan San Diego area make extensive 

 use of Mission Bay waters where the following may be caught : Bonito, 

 barracuda, spotfin, and yellowfin croakers, riioberlip and shiner surf- 

 perch, California halibut, jacksmelt, and topsmelt. It is anticipated 

 that good fishing conditions will continue as long as the waters remain 

 free from pollution. 



The University of California maintains a small wildlife preserve 

 near Rose Creek Inlet which is used primarily for bird watching and 



