Lake Nacimiento - San Luis Obispo County, California

 

Visited on 10/12/2017 while traveling to Avila Beach to join Jeff and the dogs on a weekend camping trip on the beach.  Lake Nacimiento is an 18-mile long lake on the Nacimiento River in northern San Luis Obispo County, California. The lake contains many arms including Snake Creek and Dip Creek, nearer the dam, and the central Las Tablas and Franklin Creeks. Because of the dragon-like shape created by the positions of these arms, it is sometimes referred to as Dragon Lake. The lake can fill quickly in the winter from river surges resulting from downpours upstream in the Santa Lucia Range so the level is not usually allowed to capacity until May 1 of each year.  

Lake Nacimiento has a low fish population due to the high levels of mercury present in the lake, due to runoff from the closed Klau and Buena Vista Mercury Mines, south of the lake. Only a few fisherman manage to catch fish. Consumption of bass, crappies, carps, and catfish from the lake is dangerous, but blue gill and sucker fish may be eaten only once per week safely. The lake is unique among California reservoirs in that it contains, among other species, introduced white bass, which thrive in the lake and spawn in the river and inflowing creeks in spring. In fact, the world fly fishing record for a white bass was broken in 1981 at Lake Nacimiento. The fish was caught by Cory Wells, a member of the world famous musical group, Three Dog Night. The record stood for over 27 years. Lake Nacimiento can also produce power from a turbine at the base of the dam.

Lake Nacimiento is also a haven for watersport enthusiasts. The lake provides ample room for waterskiing, wakeboarding, jetskiing, wakesurfing, and other water-related activities.

The lake was originally designed for irrigation water and flood control as well as recreation. Nacimiento Dam, a 210-foot earthfilled dam, forms the lake. The dam was built by the Monterey County Water Authority under Monterey County District Engineer Loran Bunte Jr, which completed construction in 1956.  The water authority uses the lake to recharge its groundwater. Even though the lake is entirely inside San Luis Obispo County, the waters are patrolled by the Monterey County Parks Department under a joint powers agreement with San Luis Obispo County. The Monterey County Parks Department’s primary jurisdiction is the lake waters, up to the high water mark and the resort area. The San Luis Obispo County Sheriff’s Office does have a boat at the lake for access to the back country around the lake. Also, they have been known to write tickets on the water. Lake Nacimiento has a capacity of 377,000 acre feet. The lake is near the city of Paso Robles. The lake is also the home of two residential housing developments, which lie on the lake's shore; Heritage Ranch and Oak Shores. There are several smaller (10-40 house) private subdivisions on the south west side of the lake. These houses were affected by the Chimney Fire in August 2016. Except for the resort area near the dam, most of the property around the lake is private. Overnight camping on the lake, outside of the resort, is not allowed. Also, you are considered trespassing if you set up or venture on land above the high water mark.

The lake was developed and paid for by Monterey County. However San Luis Obispo County retained the rights to 17,500 acre feet of water per year. This was not requested by San Luis Obispo County until the mid-2000s. In October 2007, construction started on a pipeline to bring water from the lake to Paso Robles, Templeton, Atascadero, and San Luis Obispo. During construction, three people were killed—one run over by a dump truck, and two drowned when an excavator hit an unrelated water pipeline which flooded a section of water project pipe under construction. The project went online in January 2011.

The Lake's dam was shut down during 2014 due to damage that occurred to one of the turbines, and as a result the neighboring Lake San Antonio was emptied to critical levels to supply the Salinas Valley with groundwater. The Lakes levels have dropped significantly due to the recent drought conditions in California.

 

 

Lake San Antonio - Monterey & San Luis Obispo Counties, California

  

Visited on 10/12/17 while traveling to the Central Coast of California to join Jeff and our dogs for a camping trip at Avila Beach, south of San Luis Obispo, CA.  Lake San Antonio is a lake located primarily in southern Monterey County, California, and partially in northern San Luis Obispo County, California. The lake is formed by San Antonio Dam on the San Antonio River. The dam is 202 feet tall and was completed in 1965.  The lake and dam are owned by the Monterey County Water Authority. The lake is 5,720 acres at an elevation of 781 feet above sea level and has a capacity of 350,000 acre feet.   

Lake San Antonio's primary purpose is to provide groundwater. Without the lake, the San Antonio River would be nearly dry in the summer months. With water in the river year-round, more of it can seep into the ground.  

Most of the lake has dried in recent years. The 2014 Wildflower Triathlon had to accommodate the extremely low water level by moving the swim portion two miles from where it is traditionally held. Participants that year had to run along the former lake bed to get to their bike transition area.

As I drove along the lake shoreline there were several deer and they stopped to watch me and we had a "stare-off"!

 

 

I was surprised to see this sign at the Lake shoreline beach and picnic area to watch out for Wild Hogs, but I guess they have had some sightings of wild hogs that savage for food and trash left behind by campers and picnickers!

 

 

San Luis Reservoir - Merced County, California

Visited on 10/12/2017 traveling to the Central Coast of California to join Jeff and our dogs on a camping trip at Avila Beach, south of San Luis Obispo, CA.  The San Luis Reservoir is an artificial lake on San Luis Creek in the eastern slopes of the Diablo Range of Merced County, California, approximately 12 miles west of Los Banos on State Route 152, which crosses Pacheco Pass and runs along its north shore. It is the fifth largest reservoir in California. This reservoir is 12,700 acres and is located at 544 feet above sea level.  The reservoir stores water taken from the San Joaquin-Sacramento River Delta. Water is pumped uphill into the reservoir from the O'Neill Forebay which is fed by the California Aqueduct and is released back into the forebay to continue downstream along the aqueduct as needed for farm irrigation and other uses. Depending on water levels, the reservoir is approximately nine miles long from north to south at its longest point, and five miles  wide. At the eastern end of the reservoir is the San Luis Dam, or the B.F. Sisk Dam, the fourth largest embankment dam in the United States, which allows for a total capacity of 2,041,000 acre feet in volume.

Completed in 1967 on land formerly part of Rancho San Luis Gonzaga, the 12,700 acres  reservoir is a joint use facility, being a part of both the California State Water Project and Central Valley Project, which together form a network of reservoirs, dams, pumping stations, and 550 miles  of canals and major conduits to move water across California. The San Luis Reservoir is located in Merced County, and has a visitor center located at the Romero Outlook where visitors can learn more about the dam and reservoir. The surface of the reservoir lies at an elevation of approximately 544 ft , with the O'Neill Forebay below the dam at 225 feet above sea level. This elevation difference allows for a hydroelectric plant to be constructed - the Gianelli Hydroelectric Plant. Power from this plant is sent to a Path 15 substation, Los Banos via a short power line. Those 500 kV wires, carrying both the power generated here and elsewhere, leave the area and cross the O'Neill Forebay on several man-made islands.

San Luis Reservoir also supplies water to 63,500 acres of land in the Santa Clara Valley west of the Coast Ranges.  San Justo Dam stores water diverted from San Luis Reservoir through the Pacheco Tunnel and Hollister Conduit, which travel through the Diablo Range.  A separate canal, the Santa Clara Tunnel and Conduit, carries water to the Coyote Pumping Station in the Santa Clara Valley.

Don Pedro Lake - Tuolumne County, California

Visited on 10/3/2017 while driving from giving an operator examination at Mount Bullion Conservation Camp in Mariposa, CA.  Don Pedro Lake is actually a reservoir that was formed by the construction of the Don Pedro Dam across the Tuolumne River coming out of Yosemite National Park.  The Lake rests at an elevation of 800 feet in the Sierra foothills of the Southern Mother Lode.  This huge Lake has a surface area of 12,960 acres with a pine and oak dotted shoreline of 160 miles.  The vast size and irregular shoreline provides a multitude of boating opportunities from boat-in camping to waterskiing.  When boating emerging rocks and islands due to the fluctuating Lake levels can be a problem late in the season.  This lake is located in the Sierra mountain foothills where Highway 49 meets highway 120.  Located just north of the town of Coulterville, CA, south of the town of Sonora and east of Yosemite National Park.  I want to come back and go camping and boating at this Lake with Jeff and our dogs next summer.

Tenaya Lake - Mariposa County, California

Visited on 10/3/2017 while driving to give an operator examination at Mount Bullion Conservation Camp in Mariposa, CA.  Tenaya Lake is a 100 acre glacial formed lake and is located just inside the eastern entrance to the Yosemite National Park and is located at an elevation of 8,150 feet.  Three lovely Lakes are located in this spectacular Eastern Sierra mountain area along Highway 120 west of Tioga Pass.  Ellery and Tioga Lakes are 2 miles outside the eastern entrance to Yosemite National Park, and Tenaya is 15 miles inside the Park.  Tenaya Lake is in the Tuolumne Meadows area of Yosemite National Park.  Lots of granite rounded rocks form the area.

Tioga Lake - Mono County, California

Visited on 10/3/2017 while driving to give an operator examination at Mount Bullion Conservation Camp in Mariposa, CA.  Tioga Lake is 73 acre glacial formed lake and is located just outside the eastern entrance to the Yosemite National Park and is located at an elevation of 9,700 feet.  Three lovely Lakes are located in this spectacular Eastern Sierra mountain area along Highway 120 west of Tioga Pass.  Ellery and Tioga Lakes are 2 miles outside the eastern entrance to Yosemite National Park, and Tenaya is 15 miles inside the Park.

Ellery Lake - Mono Lake, California

Visited on 10/3/2017 while driving to give an operator examination at Mount Bullion Conservation Camp in Mariposa, CA.  Ellery Lake is only 50 acres in size and is located just outside the eastern entrance to the Yosemite National Park and is located at an elevation of 9,638 feet.  Three lovely Lakes are located in this spectacular Eastern Sierra mountain area along Highway 120 west of Tioga Pass.  Ellery and Tioga Lakes are 2 miles outside the eastern entrance to Yosemite National Park, and Tenaya is 15 miles inside the Park.

Lake Crowley - Mono County, California

Visited on 10/3/2017 while driving to give an operator examination at Mount Bullion Conservation Camp in Mariposa, CA.  At an elevation of 6,720 feet, Crowley is one of the top Eastern High Sierra Lakes.  This 650 acre Lake is famous for its good fishing. Lake Crowley is located off California State Route 395, on the eastern slope of the Sierra Nevada Mountains 34 miles northwest of Bishop, CA. The fall leaves are beautiful this time of year on the hillside overlooking the lake.

Twin Lakes - Mono County, California

Visited on 10/3/2017 while driving to give an operator examination at Mount Bullion Conservation Camp in Mariposa, CA.  Twin Lakes are 40 acres in size and are located in the Mammoth Lakes Basin which rests at the doorway to magnificent High Sierra scenery.  These small glacial-formed Lakes range from an elevation of 8,540 feet to 9,250 feet  This is an ideal area for the hiker, backpacker and many trailheads lead into the John Muir Wilderness, a beautiful area of high mountain streams, lakes, pine and hemlock forests.  This lake borders the John Muir Wilderness and Yosemite National Park.  Twin Lakes and the Mammoth Lake Basin is located off California State Route 395, on the eastern slope of the Sierra Nevada Mountains 42 miles northwest of Bishop, CA. The Twin Lakes are two lakes in the Mammoth Lakes Basin. The two lakes are connected by Twin Falls, which plummets into the second of the pair – Upper Twin Lake. Hikes in the region lead to Panorama Dome, Twin Falls, Hole in the Wall, and Valley View.  The Twin Lakes are two lakes connected by the beautiful Twin Falls. The area around Twin Lakes is full of stunning scenery and amazing hiking trails that lead to various interesting spots in the Mammoth Lakes Basin, including Panorama Dome, Twin Falls, Hole in the Wall, and Valley View. The Tamarack Lodge is another popular destination in the vicinity of Twin Lakes.

The Twin Lakes are unique in this part of California – from above they almost look like they are joined at the hip – hence the name. The two lakes are connected by more than just a waterfall – a small bridge also unites the two together for visitors wanting to see the lakes from a different vantage point.
 

Convict Lake - Mono County, California

Visited on 10/3/2017 while driving to give an operator examination at Mount Bullion Conservation Camp in Mariposa, CA.  Crystal clear water surrounded by rugged peaks make Convict Lake one of the most beautiful places in the Eastern Sierra.  At an elevation of 7,583 feet, the Lake is 1 mile long and 1/2 mile wide providing 3 miles of pine-covered shoreline.  This lake borders the John Muir Wilderness and Yosemite National Park.  On this crisp morning I saw lots of hikers and backpackers getting ready to hike the trails around the lake through a rock-walled canyon.  Convict Lake is absolutely beautiful this time of year and is located in the 7 miles from the Mammoth Lakes area.  Convict lake is located off California State Route 395, on the eastern slope of the Sierra Nevada Mountains 35 miles northwest of Bishop, CA.  Some great history about this lake and how it got it's name:  Convict Lake might be one of the more picturesque and accessible lakes in the Sierra Nevada, but it has a violent past. It used to called Monte Diablo Lake until a series of killings in the late 1800s.

On Sept. 17, 1871, 29 prisoners escaped from the Nevada State Prison in Carson City. The prisoners split into two groups, one of which was led by convicted murderer Charlie Jones.  Jones previously had lived in Mono and Inyo counties and led his group south toward the Mammoth area. The group robbed several people along the way, and Jones had hoped to cross the Sierra Nevada and end up on the range’s western slope, where they would be safe from pursuit.

He was worried a Carson City posse was trailing them, which was true, but it had given up within two days and turned back. Near Bridgeport, a solitary man on a horse was catching up to them. Thinking he was part of the posse that had planned an ambush, Jones captured the man and killed him with the help of Leandor Morton.

The slain man, Billy Poor, actually was a Pony Express rider who was delivering mail for the first time. Killing a Mono County resident didn’t go over well with the local community, so the convicts then were being pursued by local vigilante groups.

By Sept. 22, a new posse of 10 men, led by Sheriff George Hightower, Indian deputy Mono Jim and local merchant Robert Morrison, had caught up to the convicts near Monte Diablo Creek. 

Jones got up early and headed to Bishop on the morning of Sept. 23. Two other convicts had told the others that they were looking for food, but they really were trying to break off from the group. The four remaining convicts were approached by the new posse, resulting in Mono Jim and Robert Morrison getting gunned down.

By Nov. 1, 18 of the 29 original prisoners had been captured. Jones and the two others who went searching for food avoided the shootout but eventually met their fates.

Based on this historical event, Monte Diablo Creek was renamed Convict Creek, and Monte Diablo Lake was renamed Convict Lake. The highest peak in the area was named Mount Morrison for the slain Robert Morrison, and its smaller satellite peak was named for Mono Jim.

These days, Convict Lake is a fishing hotbed, stocked with rainbow and brown trout. The 2008 fishing season ends Nov. 15. The Convict Lake Resort has 27 cabins for rent, a fish cleaning station and manages an 88-site campground nearby.

 

 

June Lake - Mono County, California

Visited on 10/2/2017 while driving to give an examination at Owens Valley Conservation Camp.  June Lake is the central lake on the scenic June Lake Loop.  This 160 acre lake is at an elevation of 7,654 feet above sea level and lies in the shadow of Mt. Ritter in a picturesque alpine basin on the June Lakes Loop. This picture was taken on the west side of the lake in the late afternoon from an area called "Oh Ridge".  The lake boasts abundant fishing, camping, waterskiing and wake boarding.    June lake is located off California State Route 158, on the eastern slope of the Sierra Nevada Mountains.

Gull Lake - Mono County, California

Visited on 10/2/2017 while driving to give an examination at Owens Valley Conservation Camp.  Silver Lake is one of the beautiful lakes on the scenic June Lake Loop.  This smaller subalpine lake is at an elevation of 7,354 feet above sea level and is located just west of the larger and more popular June Lake.  Gull Lake, one of the four lakes located on the June Lake Loop on the Eastern slope of California’s Sierra Nevada, has a great little marina and park on the northern side.  Gull Lake is picture perfect with the fall leaves and like the other lakes on the June Lake Loop, Silver Lake is known for its Trout fishing. Gull lake is located off California State Route 158, on the eastern slope of the Sierra Nevada Mountains.

Silver Lake - Mono County, California

Visited on 10/2/2017 while driving to give an examination at Owens Valley Conservation Camp.  Silver Lake is one of the beautiful lakes on the scenic June Lake Loop.  This 97 acre lake is at an elevation of 7,200 feet above sea level and lies in the shadow of 11,000 -12,000 foot mountains in a picturesque alpine basin on the June Lakes Loop, Silver Lake, one of the four lakes located on the June Lake Loop on the Eastern slope of California’s Sierra Nevada, boasts world-class fishing, camping, hiking, and boating. There is a cool little resort on the west side of the lake.  Silver Lake is picture perfect with the fall leaves and like the other lakes on the June Lake Loop, Silver Lake is known for its Trout fishing. This area also offers stream fishing in Reversed Creek. Great hiking in this area as well, Rush Creek Trail begins at the north end of the lake and interconnects with both the Pacific Crest and John Muir Trails. I saw several hikers going for a short afternoon stroll crossing the road.  There is also backcountry backpacking in this area since the Ansel Adams Wilderness and Yosemite National Park are nearby.  Silver Lake has a great campground located on the west side of the shoreline.  Silver lake is located off California State Route 158, on the eastern slope of the Sierra Nevada Mountains.

Grant Lake - Mono County, California

Visited on 10/2/2017 while driving to give an examination at Owens Valley Conservation Camp.  Grant Lake is on western end of the scenic June Lake Loop.  This 1,095 acre lake is at an elevation of 7,654 feet above sea level and lies in the shadow of Mt. Ritter in a picturesque alpine basin on the June Lakes Loop, Grant Lake is an outdoorsman’s dream. The lake boasts abundant fishing, camping, waterskiing and wake boarding.  There was one fisherman in a small boat on the lake the afternoon that I visited.  Grant is the second largest of four lakes located on the loop, and is actually a reservoir for the Los Angeles aqueduct system.  Because the lake acts as a water supply, water levels can vary dramatically throughout the year.  Grant lake is located off California State Route 158, on the eastern slope of the Sierra Nevada Mountains.

Virginia Lakes - Mono County, California

Visited on October 2, 2017 on my journey from Sacramento to Owens Valley Conservation Camp near Bishop, CA to proctor a Drinking Water Operator Exam.  Wow!!! what a hidden secret!  Virginia Lakes are a basin of smaller lakes only 50 acres large located on the eastern edge of Sierra Mountains south of the town of Bridgeport, CA off of Highway 395 at Conway Summit in the Humboldt-Toiyabe National Forest. The bodies of water in the Virginia Lakes Basin include Trumbull Lake, Red Lake, Blue Lake, Big Virginia Lake, Little Virginia Lake, Cooney Lake, Moat Lake, and the Frog Lakes. These are all connected by the perennial Virginia Creek (not navigable).  The lakes are really up there...located at 9,819 feet above sea level!  This is one of the most scenic set of alpine lakes I have visited....absolutely beautiful!  The lakes are secluded back against the eastern slope of the mountains and there are cabin rentals along the shoreline.  During my visit I saw three deer and lots of ground squirrels near the roadside.  These lakes have great hiking trails and would be a great area to come back with our dogs and my husband, Jeff for a camping trip.  I will definitely come back and visit in the fall leaves turning in color.  Virginia Lakes is popular with anglers, hikers, and campers. A trail beginning at Virginia Lakes serves as a gateway to the Sierra backcountry and Yosemite National Park.

 

Bridgeport Reservoir - Mono County, California

Visited on October 2, 2017 on my journey from Sacramento to Owens Valley Conservation Camp near Bishop, CA to proctor a Drinking Water Operator Exam.  Bridgeport Reservoir is a 3,125 acre alpine lake located on the western edge of Sierra Mountains north of the Bridgeport valley town of Bridgeport, CA off of Highway 395.  The lake is at an elevation of 6,460 feet above sea level. Bridgeport Reservoir was formed when a earth-filled dam was constructed in 1923 by the Walker River Irrigation District, along the East Walker River. The lake has a storage capacity of 42,455 acre feet and is regulated by a Federal Watermaster supplying primarily agricultural irrigation and flood control for Lyon County, Nevada.

The community of Bridgeport, which is the seat of Mono County, and the Bryant Field airstrip, are located along the river and adjacent to the upper end of the lake.

Donnell Lake - Tuolumne County, California

Visited on October 2, 2017 on my journey from Sacramento to Owens Valley Conservation Camp near Bishop, CA to proctor a Drinking Water Operator Exam.  Donnell Lake is a 401 acre alpine lake located in the Sierra Mountains northeast of Sonora, CA off of Highway 108.  The lake is at an elevation of 4,921 feet above sea level.  Donnell is located in a steep rocky canyon on the Middle Fork of the Stanislaus River, approximately 5 miles upstream from Beardsley Lake.  I stopped at the a great little roadside park that has a super walking path with an overlook of the canyon and view of the lake.  In 1955 the lake was formed with the construction of the 291-foot high concrete arch Donnell Dam.  The dam has a length of 750 feet at its crest and a large storage capacity.  The reservoir also generates hydroelectric power and supplies water to urban areas in the Sacramento Central Valley.

The great little paved walking path from the roadside parking and rest area down to the overlook.

Beardsley Lake - Tuolumne County, California

Beardsley Lake from the dam road, with sun in my eyes!

Visited on October 2, 2017 on my journey from Sacramento to Owens Valley Conservation Camp near Bishop, CA to proctor a Drinking Water Operator Exam.  Beardsley Lake is a 650 acre alpine lake located in the Sierra Mountains northeast of Sonora, CA off of Highway 108.  Beardsley Reservoir is located in a steep rocky canyon on the Middle Fork of the Stanislaus River, approximately 5 miles downstream from Donnells Reservoir, 7 miles from Highway 108 on Beardsley Road. Beardsley Road is a steep and winding paved route down to the shoreline.  Beardsley Reservoir is a quiet and beautiful place in the Stanislaus National Forest. Beardsley Dam was completed in 1957 with a height of 284 feet and a length of 1,000 feet at its crest.  It impounds the Middle Fork of the Stanislaus River for hydroelectric power and irrigation water storage. Developed recreation facilities exist at the reservoir which is popular for camping, day use and fishing. The reservoir is open all year with road access subject to winter closure. The end of the boat launch ramp elevation is 3,315 feet above sea level.

Pinecrest Lake - Tuolumne County, California

Visited on October 2, 2017 on my journey from Sacramento to Owens Valley Conservation Camp near Bishop, CA to proctor a Drinking Water Operator Exam.  Pinecrest Lake is a 300 acre resort community lake located in the Sierra Mountains northeast of Sonora, CA off of Highway 108.  It was formed when the Strawberry Dam was built in 1916, at a time when the lake was known as "Strawberry Lake". The name was changed to "Pinecrest Lake" a few years later. The dam is on the South Fork of the Stanislaus River just off Highway 108 northeast of Sonora, CA at an elevation of 5,600 feet in the Stanislaus National Forest. The lake is 300 acres in the summer when full. During the winter the lake recedes to a very small size.

Lyons Reservoir - Tuolumne County, California

Lyons Reservoir - quiet, peaceful and crystal clear water.

Visited on October 2, 2017 on my journey from Sacramento to Owens Valley Conservation Camp near Bishop, CA to proctor a Drinking Water Operator Exam.  Lyons Reservoir is located in the Sierra Mountains northeast of Sonora, CA off of Highway 108 at elevation 4,259 feet above sea level and .  This  184 acre tree-covered shoreline lake was formed when PG&E constructed the 132 foot Lyons Dam back in 1930 to impound the South Fork of the Stanislaus River for municipal water storage and supply for the town of Twain Harte and surrounding communities.  In order to get to the lake I had to take a interesting, partially washed out (from last winters rain storms) logging-type road off the highway about 2 miles down in elevation to the lake.  On my way down I was pleasantly surprised and visited briefly with a nice couple that were on horseback, riding down to the water.  Once at the Lake, I was the only person in sight and I discovered their was some history to this area regarding it's railroad past.  In 1907 the Sugar Pine Railway built 470 miles of track to transport lumber from the Sierra Mountains to lumber mills in the lower foothills.  There is a great dog-friendly 4.5 hike to the old railroad grade that I would like to come back and bring Jeff and the dogs to explore in the future.