South Haiwee Reservoir is located in Inyo County, California, approximately 23 miles south of Lone Pine. Completed in 1913, this reservoir serves as a vital water resource for irrigation and domestic use, particularly for supplying drinking water to Los Angeles as part of the Los Angeles Aqueduct-Owens River system.

The reservoir has a storage capacity of 60,600 acre-feet and covers a surface area of 1,350 acres. It is situated on the Rose Valley river stream and features a dam with a height of 81 feet and a hydraulic height of 67 feet. The dam is owned and operated by the Los Angeles Department of Water and Power (LADWP) and is regulated by the California Department of Water Resources.

Water quality is a significant concern at South Haiwee Reservoir. It has been listed under the Clean Water Act Section 303(d) for copper impairment since 1994. This listing resulted from elevated copper residuals found in fish tissue and two fish kills in 1991 and 1994 linked to copper sulfate applications used to control algae blooms. While no fish kills have been observed since 1994, copper concentrations remain above water quality criteria levels.

The reservoir's primary purpose is water supply, and recreational activities such as paddling are not a focus here. Potential paddlers should be aware that the reservoir's main function is not recreation, and access may be restricted.

The area around South Haiwee Reservoir has historical significance. The original settlement of Haiwee, which began in 1864 as a waystop on the road between Visalia and Owens Valley, is now submerged beneath the reservoir waters. This site was involved in conflicts during the Owens Valley Indian War, including an attack in 1865 that led to the Owens Lake Massacre.

The climate around South Haiwee Reservoir is hot-summer Mediterranean. Due to its high elevation and low humidity, the area experiences significant diurnal temperature variations, with temperature differences of up to 30°F between daily highs and lows being common.

The reservoir has a history of fish populations, though the current state of the fishery is unclear due to past water quality issues.

Given the reservoir's primary function as a water supply source and its history of water quality concerns, potential paddlers should contact local authorities for current regulations, access points, and safety considerations before planning any trips to South Haiwee Reservoir.