It is recommended that the hotspots at this location be used in this manner:

Modesto Reservoir Regional Park - Use this hotspot for checklists that cover the entire park or are not limited to one of the sub locations.

Modesto Reservoir--main day use area and campgrounds - Use this hotspot for checklists that cover only the south side of the park, including the day use areas and campgrounds on the south and east sides only.

Modesto Reservoir--west side: day use and campgrounds - Use this hotspot for checklist the cover only the west side of the park, including west boat ramp area and any other west side day use areas, camping areas, and habitats along the road or lake shore.

Modesto Reservoir (lake only) - Use this hotspot when birding by boat or when birding only the lake and islands, to the exclusion of the shoreline areas. When birding both the lake and the land areas adjacent to the reservoir, use the Modesto Reservoir Regional Park Hotspot.

Modesto Reservoir--inlet area -: Use this hotspot when birding the lake east of the narrow inlet channel at the end of the east fork of Reservoir Road, just north of the archery range.

Modesto Reservoir was completed in 1915 by the Modesto Irrigation District (MID) to store water and regulate its distribution through the MID's system of canals. Stanislaus County operates the reservoir and its surrounding lands as Modesto Reservoir Regional Park, one of five parks operated by the county. The Modesto Regional Water Treatment Plant was completed at the reservoir in 1994, providing surface water from Modesto Reservoir to the City of Modesto.