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Rancho Seco was a nuclear power plant in California. Today, it might be a national park or national landmark; whatever it is, there is a lake where visitors may swim.
Located just 25 miles southeast of downtown Sacramento, the Rancho Seco Recreational Area is owned and operated by the Sacramento Municipal Utility District. It is open year-around from 7 a.m. to 6 p.m. daily. The park entrance gate is locked every night.
History
In 1966, the Sacromento Municipal Utility District (SMUD) purchased 2,100 acres in southeast Sacramento County, California for a nuclear power plant. Rancho Seco was built in Clay Station, California, 25 miles south east of Sacramento. The reactor achieved initial criticality on September 16, 1976, and entered commercial operation on April 17, 1977.
Rancho Seco had a poor operating history, and a lifetime capacity average of only 39%. Due to this poor operating history and increasing costs, the plant was closed by public vote on June 6, 1989, even though its operating license did not expire until October 11, 2008. Decommissioning activites eventually took place.
Meanwhile, in the early 1970s, a small pond was expanded to a 160-acre lake to serve as an emergency backup water supply (in case of fire) for the now-closed Rancho Seco power generating station. The lake has always received its water from the Folsom South Canal and has no relationship with the power plant's daily water supply. Surrounding the lake is 400 acres of recreational area originally operated by the County of Sacramento for day-use activities.
In 1992, SMUD took over operation of the park. SMUD uses the park-generated revenues to fund all park-related operating costs. Recently, more tent camping facilities were added. As revenues allow, other improvements will be made.