Actually, I think the only reason you cant swim in it is because there was a HUGE environmental fight when the dam was approved and the valley flooded. The Raker Act of 1913 (which established the right to build the dam and create the lake) specifically stated "No person shall bathe, wash clothes or cooking utensils, or water stock in, ruin any way pollute" the watershed including the reservior... We swim and boat in many of the drinking water reservoirs here in So Cal ( Silverwood lake is part of the California Aquaduct system)
Interesting! I just read that on the leaflet the ranger gave us when we entered...prob easier for them to say "No you cant as its drinking water" LOL
I really liked Hetch Hetchy, much better than Yosemite as I found that way to crowded to really enjoy it.
It looks beautiful
It is, where I took that photo from, the right side of the bridge is a waterfall