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Wailua Reservoir

Hawaii · Reservoir impounded 1920 · near Kapaa

60 acres 20 ft deep 6 ft clarity Water D
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4.8SCORE
Survey summary · Hawaii
60
Surface acres
20 ft
Max depth
2 mi
Shoreline
6 ft
Typical clarity
300 ft
Elevation

Wailua Reservoir covers 60 acres in Hawaii and drops to 20 feet at its deepest point. It is a reservoir impounded in 1920 and managed by State of Hawaii. Level is unusually stable, which protects dock usability and shoreline appearance year round. Short-term rental posture: County permit. Confirm at the municipal level before underwriting rental income.

What stands out

  • Very stable water level year-round
  • Kayaking
  • Fishing

Watch outs

  • Nutrient-rich water; seasonal algae blooms are possible

Score breakdown

WATER RECREATION VALUE ACCESS INVESTMENT
Water 4.2
Recreation 3.0
Value 4.4
Access 5.3
Investment 7.6

Each axis is computed by published formula from this lake's own attributes. How we score.

Water quality grade
Water A
ExcellentClear, low-nutrient water. Typically oligotrophic with high clarity and little seasonal algae.
Water B
GoodHealthy water with moderate clarity. Some seasonal variation, no persistent problems.
Water C
FairProductive water — good fishing, reduced clarity. Algae possible in late summer.
Water D
PoorNutrient-rich or heavily drawn down. Swimmable conditions vary; check before you rely on them.

Computed from measured clarity, trophic state, and drawdown magnitude — not an opinion. See the formula.

Overall score, 1–10
8.0+
ExceptionalStrong on every axis we measure.
7.0–7.9
StrongClearly above average, usually with one standout axis.
6.0–6.9
SolidA good lake with a trade-off worth understanding.
5.0–5.9
MixedReal strengths and real compromises.
Under 5
CompromisedSomething material — volatility, water quality, or access.

Weighted: water 26% · recreation 22% · investment 20% · value 18% · access 14%.

Fishery

Peacock bassTilapiaLargemouth bass

On the water

KayakingFishingHiking
No USGS gauge on this lake. Water level and clarity figures below come from published lake management data rather than a live sensor.

Where it is

True shoreline from USGS NHD 0 km²

The outline is this lake's actual boundary from the USGS National Hydrography Dataset, not an approximation — 24 boundary points. Basemap is USGS topographic with contours and hydrography. Switch layers at the top right.

Depth profile

SURFACE 20 ft max avg 6 ft

Idealized cross-section. Max depth 20 ft, average 6 ft. Depth at a specific dock depends on local bathymetry — verify at the property.

Level behaviour

Level stabilityManaged Typical drawdown3 ft Drawdown seasonWinter Trophic stateEutrophic Typical clarity6 ft Water quality gradeD Elevation300 ft Managing authorityState of Hawaii

Dock & shoreline

Permitting authorityHawaii DLNR Wake / speed rulesNon-motorized
A dock is never guaranteed. Confirm in writing with Hawaii DLNR that the specific parcel is eligible before you remove contingencies.

Short-term rental posture

County permit

Generally permitted, but rules change. Confirm the specific municipality and any HOA covenant.
Model rental income →
Modeled estimates. Market figures are derived from lake attributes and regional patterns, not from MLS data. Treat them as a starting point, not a comp.
$445,000
Median waterfront
$3,216
Per shoreline foot
+9.0%
Year over year
91
Est. inventory
116
Avg days on market
$553
Est. nightly rate

Rental snapshot

Modeled occupancy44% Booked nights / yr116 Gross revenue$70,629 Net operating income$34,718 Yield on median price7.80%
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What a median-priced home on Wailua Reservoir actually costs to carry, with waterfront-specific line items most calculators omit.

$3,859
All-in per month
$102,930
Cash to close + setup
$11,635
Beyond P&I, tax, insurance
Where the annual cost goes
$46,312 PER YEAR
Principal & interest $28,135 (63%) Maintenance reserve (1.1%) $4,895 (11%) Property taxes $4,672 (10%) Utilities $2,700 (6%) Hazard insurance $1,869 (4%) Shoreline / seawall reserve $960 (2%) Dock maintenance $900 (2%) Winterization / seasonal close $750 (2%)

Annual carry

Principal & interest$28,135
Property taxes$4,672
Hazard insurance$1,869
Flood insurance$650
Utilities$2,700
Maintenance reserve (1.1%)$4,895
Septic service$520
Well & water testing$260
Dock maintenance$900
Winterization / seasonal close$750
Shoreline / seawall reserve$960
Total$46,312
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