In the grand vision, fine restaurants dot hills with shore-front views — although not too close. The Bureau of Reclamation requires a "take line" buffer zone, prohibiting building within 100 feet, and Matthews said no developer is planning a structure closer than one-quarter mile to the reservoir.

"Boating, skiing, fishing will still be there for the public," Matthews said.

"We didn't want just rich folks. We wanted diversity and a community," Taggart said.

In the vision, groups choose Jordanelle for meetings at places like Stillwater's 5,000-square-foot conference center.

In the vision, they'll rub tastefully adorned elbows with jet-setters walking to the Deer Crest gondola via an under-the-freeway pedestrian passageway.

"The Deer Crest ski lift drives the business here," said Stillwater's English. "The gondola ties us to Deer Valley and some of the best ski terrain in the world. After that, you can come back to sit by one of the most beautiful lakes in the world,"

No one would agree more than Zibby Toser, who can ski-and-see right out her door but admits to a problem in paradise.

"I'm having trouble getting the heated towel racks installed," she said.

Tomorrow: Water and sewer issues swirl around Jordanelle.