Mountain Meadows Reservoir is an artificial lake, located in Lassen County, California. The lake is also known as Walker Lake.[3] Its waters are impounded by the Indian Ole Dam, which was completed in 1924.
| Mountain Meadows Reservoir | |
|---|---|
 Mountain Meadows Reservoir can be seen at right in this satellite image. Lake Almanor at left. | |
  Mountain Meadows Reservoir  Mountain Meadows Reservoir | |
| Location | Lassen County, California[1] |
| Coordinates | 40°16′11″N 120°57′38″W / 40.26972°N 120.96056°W[1] |
| Type | reservoir |
| Primary outflows | Hamilton Creek[2] |
| Catchment area | 163.1 square miles (422 km2)[2] |
| Basin countries | United States |
| Max. length | 5 miles (8.0 km) |
| Max. width | 2 miles (3.2 km) |
| Surface area | 5,800 acres (2,300 ha)[2] |
| Water volume | 24,800 acre-feet (30,600,000 m3)[2] |
| Surface elevation | 5,046 feet (1,538 m)[1] |
| Settlements | Westwood, California |
Hydrology
editThe lake is fed by Robbers Creek, Goodrich Creek, Duffy Creek, Cottonwood Creek, Mountain Meadows Creek, Greenville Creek, and Deerheart Creek. It discharges into Hamilton Creek,[2] which feeds Lake Almanor.
Indian Ole Dam
editIndian Ole Dam is a flashboard and buttress dam, it is 264 feet (80 m) long and 26 feet (7.9 m) high, with 8 feet (2.4 m) of freeboard. Pacific Gas and Electric Company owns the dam[2] and manages the surrounding lands.[3]
History
editCultural remnants of both the American pioneers and the Maidu exist near the reservoir and other sites are believed to exist beneath its waters.[3]
As of September 13, 2015, the reservoir was completely dry, resulting in the death of perhaps thousands of fish.[4]
Recreation
editRecreational uses of the lake include duck hunting, bird watching, fishing, and ice-skating.[5] Near the dam there is a boat ramp, which is accessible by way of a County-maintained gravel road.[3]
See also
editReferences
edit- ^ a b c "Mountain Meadows Reservoir". Geographic Names Information System. United States Geological Survey, United States Department of the Interior.
- ^ a b c d e f "Dams Within the Jurisdiction of the State of California (H-M)" (PDF). California Department of Water Resources, Division of Safety of Dams. Archived from the original (PDF) on December 6, 2012. Retrieved October 31, 2012.
- ^ a b c d "Mountain Meadows Reservoir Planning Unit" (PDF). Watershed Lands Stewardship Council.
- ^ Johnson, Susan Cort. Mountain Meadows Reservoir empties stranding fish . Plumas County News September 25, 2015. http://www.plumasnews.com/index.php/14354-mountain-meadows-reservoir-empties-stranding-fish. Retrieved September 25, 2015.
- ^ "About Mountain Meadows".