Rector Reservoir, body of water

Rector Reservoir is a reservoir in Napa Valley, California, northeast of Yountville and southwest of Lake Berryessa. Its waters are held by Rector Creek Dam, built in 1946 across Rector Creek. The reservoir lies at 114 metres above sea level, measures about 0.19 square kilometres, and runs roughly 1 km east-west and 0.5 km north-south. The Silverado Trail passes to its west, with Rector Canyon alongside.

The reservoir was constructed in 1946 by building a dam across Rector Creek to store water for local communities and agricultural land. Over the decades, it became an essential part of the region's water infrastructure while also serving as habitat for wildlife.

The reservoir is named after Rector Creek, which it dams, and its water is drawn by the Veterans Home of California Yountville. The surrounding Rector Reservoir Wildlife Area is a state-managed refuge where visitors watch prairie and peregrine falcons, Cooper's and sharp-shinned hawks, red-legged frogs and northwestern pond turtles.

The reservoir lies northeast of Yountville and southwest of Lake Berryessa; the Silverado Trail runs along its western side, past Rector Canyon, with Silver Oak Cellars and Oakville to the west. The water is held by Rector Creek Dam, built in 1946 across Rector Creek, and the reservoir sits at about 114 metres above sea level.

The site is surrounded by a 340-acre wildlife area that hosts raptors including peregrine falcons and hawks that visitors can spot in flight overhead. This rich bird population makes the location particularly rewarding for birdwatchers and nature enthusiasts.