Water Management Through the Ages: A Popcorn-Powered Lecture

The Gopcevic Decree: A Link Between Serbian Royalty and Lake County History

Lake County, California, is home to a rich tapestry of history that often intertwines with unexpected figures. One such figure is Milos Mitrov Gopcevic, an individual whose lineage traces back to the royal family of Serbia and whose legacy has had a lasting impact on water management in the region. This connection was brought to light during a recent lecture at the Red Barn Museum in Kelseyville, where Philip Smoley, a real estate entrepreneur and historian, delved into the story of Gopcevic and his influence on local water policies.

Smoley, who has been involved with the Lake County Historical Society for over 17 years, initially pursued a degree in history before shifting his focus to real estate. His deep knowledge of American Civil War history and other historical topics led him to become a regular lecturer for the society. It was this passion for history that eventually led him to uncover the intriguing story of Gopcevic, a man whose name is now synonymous with the Gopcevic Decree.

A Legacy of Royal Ancestry

Gopcevic was born in 1869 and could trace his ancestry to Stefan Dušan II, the first Emperor of the Serbs and Greeks, who reigned from 1346 to 1355. His rule marked the peak of Serbian power, characterized by territorial expansion and cultural flourishing. However, his death in 1355 marked a turning point, leading to the decline of the Serbian Empire.

Despite his royal heritage, Gopcevic’s life took a different path. In the early 1900s, he worked as a cable car grip-man in San Francisco, where he met Hallie Augusta Lyons Floyd, daughter of Richard Floyd, a wealthy property owner who had moved to California after the Civil War. Their marriage in 1903, which was reported in the San Francisco Call, linked Gopcevic to the Floyd family, who owned the Kono Tayee estate.

The Kono Tayee Estate

Kono Tayee, named after a mountain and peninsula in Paradise Valley, was a summer estate built by Captain Floyd in the 19th century. The gardens were filled with exotic plants and trees collected during world travels, and the estate was known for its lavish events, including costume parties, dramas, and musical performances. The estate also featured a dock where Floyd’s steamer, The Whisper, was moored.

Hallie Floyd’s life changed dramatically when she married Gopcevic. Tragically, she died just four months later from measles, leaving her estate to Gopcevic in her will. Despite challenges from the Floyd family, the courts upheld the will, allowing Gopcevic to take ownership of Kono Tayee.

Water Management and the Gopcevic Decree

Gopcevic’s legacy extends beyond his personal life. His name is now tied to the Gopcevic Decree, a legal document that governs water management in Clear Lake. The decree, handed down in 1920, outlined conditions under which the Yolo Water and Power Company could release water from the lake. It established specific levels for the lake, ensuring that water was released for irrigation while preventing flooding.

The Gopcevic Decree also set a filling schedule for winter months, limiting the amount of water that could be released for irrigation from May to September. This provision was later removed in 1981 when the Solano Decree was introduced to address conflicting water release rules.

Legal Battles Over Water Rights

The management of Clear Lake has not been without controversy. In 1938, heavy winter storms caused the lake to rise to 10.25 feet Rumsey, resulting in significant property damage. To mitigate future flooding, the County of Lake petitioned for the excavation of the outlet channel. However, the Bemmerly sisters, Mary and Agnes, filed a lawsuit to stop the work, arguing that increasing the outlet capacity would cause more damage downstream.

The court ruled in favor of the Bemmerlys, halting the project. This decision led to the creation of the Bemmerly Decree, which further complicated water management in the area.

The Solano Decree and Modern Water Management

In 1978, an agreement was reached between the District and Lake County, establishing the amount of water that could be withdrawn from Clear Lake based on its level as of April 30. If the lake was at 3.22 feet Rumsey, no irrigation water could be withdrawn. If it reached 7.56 feet, the District could release up to 150,000 acre-feet of water.

This agreement, along with the Gopcevic and Bemmerly Decrees, continues to shape water management in the region, reflecting the long-standing impact of Gopcevic’s legacy.

Personal Life and Later Years

After Hallie’s death, Gopcevic married Marion Elsie Dodd in 1910. He passed away in 1951, and Marion followed in 1961. Their lives, though brief, left an indelible mark on the history of Lake County, connecting the region to the distant past of Serbian royalty through the lens of water management and legal precedent.