The Reservoir
From the moment we purchased the existing 71-acre campus, we began praying that one day we would be able to connect our campus to the beautiful and secluded Weber Reservoir.
Weber Reservoir looking east
A Very Unique Opportunity
A 10-acre parcel has come up for sale for the first time in over 40 years that has direct access to the reservoir (one of only two parcels with water access due to incredibly steep, cliff-like slopes).
The Jewel in our Backyard
The 10-acre parcel is located behind our current campus and connected by a private easement road.
Not only does this property add 10 acres to the campus, it also grants us direct access to 40 acres of water and additional hiking trails on the other other side of the reservoir.
How do you get there?
From our back gate, it is about a 10 minute walk or a 90 second golf cart ride on private dirt road that functions as a legal easement that would connect our main campus to the reservoir parcel. The road is very lightly used, perhaps by 10 cars a day.
Reservoir access… and a house!
Aerial picture of the home
House Details:
1588 Square Feet, 3 bed, 2 bath main floor, as well as wrap around deck with views of the reservoir. The home has a solid floor plan and good bones. It needs aesthetic updating.
Huge daylight basement / lower level with 14 foot ceilings. This lower level previously functioned as a machinist’s shop. It is a raw enclosed space with a bathroom, power, water, windows, separate entrance… and massive potential for multiple uses.
There are separate driveways to access the upper floor of the house and lower level of the house - allowing distinctive uses.
Water access is 300+ feet away from the house - allowing house occupants to not be bothered by people seeking waterfront access.
Reservoir History , Ownership, and Usage
Built in 1924, the Reservoir is owned by the local water district (El Dorado Irrigation District) as a supply reservoir. It is buffered by steep, inaccessible privately owned land on one side and public utility owned land on the other. Though it is secluded, it is a public access reservoir: swimming, kayaking, fishing are all allowed. No motorized boats are permitted on the reservoir. It is rare to see anyone on or near the reservoir due to its landlocked isolation, extreme terrain, and difficulty to access
Reservoir Details
- Approx. 8/10ths of a mile long;
- 600 feet wide at its widest point
- Depth of approx. 88 feet.
- Approx. 41 acres of surface area
- It stays full all year round
- It warms to a comfortable temperature for swimming in the summer
- Anglers will be happy to know it has fish in it
The Purpose of this Parcel:
Contemplation & Restoration for Iona House guests
beside still waters.
Jesus often spent time in prayer on or near the Sea of Galilee. Something about water nurtures the soul and restores the spirit. In summer months it provides a refreshing place to put your feet in the water or even take a dip. Throughout the year it is a place to paddle a kayak, fish, hike, or just sit and take in the beauty.
BECOMING A RESERVOIR
“The man who is wise, therefore, will see his life as more like a reservoir than a canal. The canal simultaneously pours out what it receives; the reservoir retains the water till it is filled, then discharges the overflow without loss to itself... Today there are many in the Church who act like canals, the reservoirs are far too rare ... You too must learn to await this fullness before pouring out your gifts, do not try to be more generous than God.”
St. Bernard of Clairvaux
10th Century Cistercian Monk and Mystic
The Need: $1.1M
By December 31, 2026.
Raising $1.1 million will allow Iona House to purchase the parcel and develop the full potential of this parcel. We anticipate that this capital campaign will require the entire Iona House community’s help / partnership. If you would like to discuss a potential financial gift with our Executive Director, Fr. Ryan, please reach out to him: ryan@ionahouse.org.
Frequently Asked Questions
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Yes and No. - The two parcels do not touch, but there is a direct legal easement / route from our existing campus to the reservoir parcel in the form of a dirt / gravel road that we would use to go between. It takes roughly 90 seconds by golf cart to go between the properties and 10-15 minutes walking on this route. The road is very lightly used - perhaps 12 cars a day in total. In reality, the two parcels are only separated by about 500 feet. But the shortest distance would require crossing another parcel. If this other parcel came up for sale, we would consider purchasing it to physically connect the campus. But it is not necessary for direct access due to the road / easement.
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Not a good one. There are only TWO parcels with access to the reservoir due to the grade / slope of the land of south shore of the reservoir where parcels are privately owned. From our research, this parcel is the BEST and CLOSEST option to Iona House’s existing campus. The other parcel is not for sale and has no structure on it. Neither parcel has been on the market in the past 40 years as far as we know.
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We have philosophically strayed away from loans. They do not feel responsible within our operating strategy, except perhaps in a very short-term “bridge” type of situation. We are looking to raise the initial purchase in cash donations. The renovations can happen as additional money is made available. Though we do not want to drag out the process of fundraising. Our hope / prayer is to have all of the money for this project raised by December 31, 2026. We may need the majority of the money by an earlier date if the property sale happens earlier than the end of the year.
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As of June 2026, here are the estimates of costs to our best understanding:
Projected parcel purchase price: $650,000
Repairs / upgrades to existing house (main level): $100,000
Road Improvements: $20,000
Improved access for trail down to the shoreline and shoreline improvements: $25,000
6 Prayer Shelters: $75,000
Development of ground floor: $200,000
Buffer: $30,000
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The house has potential for many different uses. We are currently prayerfully discerning its highest and best use for Iona House’s purposes. We have imagined a variety of scenarios including one in which it becomes a sabbatical house for ministry leaders, missionaries, and pastors. We have also imagined the house being a valuable place for a distinctive type of retreat, a location for a certain experience (contemplative or focused symposiums, etc.) and/or as a place for badly needed on-campus staff housing (so as to not take up the other housing in the Village). The location of the house and its distance from the main life of the campus is viewed by us as a feature and not a bug. What we know for certain is that this house and this parcel will be of immeasurable value to the mission and purposes of Iona House. We trust that the Lord will show us the exact usage in time - which might change over the first few years.