Lake Almanor
Encyclopedia
Lake Almanor is a large artificial lake
in northwestern Plumas County
, northeastern California
. The reservoir has a capacity of 1308000 acre.ft and a maximum depth of about 90 feet. It is formed by Canyon Dam
on the North Fork of the Feather River
, as well as Benner and Last Chance Creeks, Hamilton Branch, and various natural springs.
is 130 feet tall and composed of hydraulic fill
.
The present dam was constructed by Great Western Power, from 1926 to 1927, damming the North Fork of the Feather River
and flooding the meadow-filled valley generally known as Big Springs/Big Meadows. In the process, parts of the town of Prattville
had to be moved to higher ground, while some structures were flooded over. The reservoir was named for the three daughters of Guy C. Earl, Vice President of Great Western Power: Alice, Martha and Eleanor.
The dam is now owned by Pacific Gas and Electric Company
. PG&E uses it for hydroelectricity
production, but the lake is also a popular recreation area, with fishing
, boating
, water skiing
, swimming and camping
available.
Much of the southern shore of the lake is in the Lassen National Forest
, so recreation management is shared by PG&E and the United States Forest Service
.
Large areas along the northern shore of the lake are seasonal pasture used for summer and fall cattle grazing; some areas of these grazing grounds are under-water in wetter years. The wetlands at the north end also serve as breeding grounds for a variety of migratory waterfowl, most prominently Canadian Geese and various species of ducks including mallard
, teal
, and wigeon
. Other large birds to be viewed around the lake are heron
, osprey
, and occasionally bald eagles, which nest on the Peninsula and West Shore. Each year in late June and early July, large insect hatches occur on the lake during the dusk hours. The insects, which the fish feed on, attract local fly fisherman who use imitation flys to catch the feeding fish.
The Almanor Basin Watershed Advisory Committee Group (ABWAC) received funding for a Watershed Assessment Project under California Prop 12, and one deliverable from this project was in an online map-based database of watershed information that runs in Google Earth - download the tour at: http://www.sierrainstitute.us/Almanorvirtualtour.html
at the dam. Image of the Outlet tower to the Butt Valley Powerhouse tunnel near Prattville A tunnel (and finally a penstock) from the powerhouse outlet tower, in the lake between Prattville and the Plumas Pines Resort, delivers water to the Butt Valley Powerhouse at the north end of Butt Valley Reservoir, which has a capacity of 41 MW. From there, the water is sent by tunnel to either Caribou 1 or Caribou 2 Powerhouse, which have capacities of 120 and 74 MW respectively. Caribou 2 is favored because it is newer and more efficient. Their tailraces flow into Belden Reservoir. A portion of the water goes through the 1.3-MW Oak Flat Powerhouse, which is located at the bottom on Belden Dam. The rest goes to the 125-MW Belden Powerhouse by another tunnel. The water is then released into Rock Creek Reservoir. All of these powerhouse facilities are presently (2008) owned and operated by the Pacific Gas and Electric Company (PG&E), a major investor owned California utility.
Lake
A lake is a body of relatively still fresh or salt water of considerable size, localized in a basin, that is surrounded by land. Lakes are inland and not part of the ocean and therefore are distinct from lagoons, and are larger and deeper than ponds. Lakes can be contrasted with rivers or streams,...
in northwestern Plumas County
Plumas County, California
Plumas County is a county located in the Sierra Nevada of the U.S. state of California. The county gets its name from the Spanish words for the Feather River , which flows through the county. As of the 2010 census, the population 20,007, down from 20,824 at the 2000 census...
, northeastern California
California
California is a state located on the West Coast of the United States. It is by far the most populous U.S. state, and the third-largest by land area...
. The reservoir has a capacity of 1308000 acre.ft and a maximum depth of about 90 feet. It is formed by Canyon Dam
Canyon Dam (California)
Canyon Dam is an embankment dam on the North Fork Feather River in northern California, southwest of Westwood. Located about southeast of Chester, the dam forms Lake Almanor, a large and shallow reservoir surrounded by the Sierra Nevada mountains....
on the North Fork of the Feather River
Feather River
The Feather River is the principal tributary of the Sacramento River, in the Sacramento Valley of Northern California. The river's main stem is about long. Its length to its most distant headwater tributary is about . Its drainage basin is about...
, as well as Benner and Last Chance Creeks, Hamilton Branch, and various natural springs.
Creation
The damDam
A dam is a barrier that impounds water or underground streams. Dams generally serve the primary purpose of retaining water, while other structures such as floodgates or levees are used to manage or prevent water flow into specific land regions. Hydropower and pumped-storage hydroelectricity are...
is 130 feet tall and composed of hydraulic fill
Hydraulic fill
A hydraulic fill is an embankment or other fill in which the materials are deposited in place by a flowing stream of water, with the deposition being selective...
.
The present dam was constructed by Great Western Power, from 1926 to 1927, damming the North Fork of the Feather River
Feather River
The Feather River is the principal tributary of the Sacramento River, in the Sacramento Valley of Northern California. The river's main stem is about long. Its length to its most distant headwater tributary is about . Its drainage basin is about...
and flooding the meadow-filled valley generally known as Big Springs/Big Meadows. In the process, parts of the town of Prattville
Prattville, California
Prattville is a census-designated place in Plumas County, California, United States. The population was 33 at the 2010 census, up from 28 at the 2000 census.-Geography:Prattville is located at ....
had to be moved to higher ground, while some structures were flooded over. The reservoir was named for the three daughters of Guy C. Earl, Vice President of Great Western Power: Alice, Martha and Eleanor.
The dam is now owned by Pacific Gas and Electric Company
Pacific Gas and Electric Company
The Pacific Gas and Electric Company , commonly known as PG&E, is the utility that provides natural gas and electricity to most of the northern two-thirds of California, from Bakersfield almost to the Oregon border...
. PG&E uses it for hydroelectricity
Hydroelectricity
Hydroelectricity is the term referring to electricity generated by hydropower; the production of electrical power through the use of the gravitational force of falling or flowing water. It is the most widely used form of renewable energy...
production, but the lake is also a popular recreation area, with fishing
Fishing
Fishing is the activity of trying to catch wild fish. Fish are normally caught in the wild. Techniques for catching fish include hand gathering, spearing, netting, angling and trapping....
, boating
Boating
Boating is the leisurely activity of travelling by boat, or the recreational use of a boat whether powerboats, sailboats, or man-powered vessels , focused on the travel itself, as well as sports activities, such as fishing or water skiing...
, water skiing
Water skiing
thumb|right|A slalom skier making a turn on a slalom waterski.Waterskiing is a sport where an individual is pulled behind a boat or a cable ski installation on a body of water, skimming the surface.-History:...
, swimming and camping
Camping
Camping is an outdoor recreational activity. The participants leave urban areas, their home region, or civilization and enjoy nature while spending one or several nights outdoors, usually at a campsite. Camping may involve the use of a tent, caravan, motorhome, cabin, a primitive structure, or no...
available.
Geography
The lake-front and immediate surroundings are, either officially or unofficially, divided into a series of regions:- North Shore typically referring to the north-east shoreline and the campground of the same name.
- The Peninsula being the major east-side peninsula bisecting the lake and largely taken up by the Lake Almanor Country Club, the community of AlmanorAlmanor, CaliforniaAlmanor is a census-designated place in Plumas County, California, United States. The population was 0 at the 2010 Census. Almanor is located south-southeast of Chester.-History:...
, and the more recent residential developments known as Bailey Creek and Foxwood. - Hamilton BranchHamilton Branch, CaliforniaHamilton Branch is a census-designated place in Plumas County, California, United States. The population was 587 at the 2000 census.-Geography:Hamilton Branch is located at , on the south-east shore of Lake Almanor....
being the east-side community next south from the Peninsula, named for the river of the same name. - East ShoreEast Shore, CaliforniaEast Shore is a census-designated place in Plumas County, California, United States. The population was 156 at the 2010 census, down from 177 at the 2000 census.-Geography:...
being both the developed and undeveloped areas between Hamilton BranchHamilton Branch, CaliforniaHamilton Branch is a census-designated place in Plumas County, California, United States. The population was 587 at the 2000 census.-Geography:Hamilton Branch is located at , on the south-east shore of Lake Almanor....
and the dam itself. - Canyon Dam, the community just southeast of the dam.
- South Shore, the southwest shoreline taken up largely by PG&E managed campgrounds and undeveloped grounds;
- PrattvillePrattville, CaliforniaPrattville is a census-designated place in Plumas County, California, United States. The population was 33 at the 2010 census, up from 28 at the 2000 census.-Geography:Prattville is located at ....
being the small resort community on the southwest shoreline; retains the same name as the town that was once in Big Meadows (now under water). - West Shore being on the upper southwest shore and more formally referred to as Lake Almanor West, itself an un-gated country-club.
- The generally nameless western shoreline from Lake Almanor West to the town of ChesterChester, CaliforniaChester is a census-designated place in Plumas County, California, United States. Chester is located on Lake Almanor, north-northwest of Quincy. The town is located along State Route 36. The US Postal Service ZIP code for the community is 96020...
, starting at Goose Bay and ending at the termination of the large diversion channel that mitigates high-waters in the Feather RiverNorth Fork Feather RiverThe North Fork Feather River is a watercourse of the northern Sierra Nevada in the U.S. state of California. It flows generally southwards from its headwaters near Lassen Peak to Lake Oroville, a reservoir formed by Oroville Dam in the foothills of the Sierra, where it runs into the Feather River....
above ChesterChester, CaliforniaChester is a census-designated place in Plumas County, California, United States. Chester is located on Lake Almanor, north-northwest of Quincy. The town is located along State Route 36. The US Postal Service ZIP code for the community is 96020...
. - The northern shoreline from Chester, running northeast then southwest, and back to Hwy 36; includes the mouth of Benner and Last Chance creeks and seasonal springs.
Much of the southern shore of the lake is in the Lassen National Forest
Lassen National Forest
Lassen National Forest is a national forest of 1,700 square miles in northeastern California. It is named after pioneer Peter Lassen, who mined, ranched and promoted the area to emigrant parties in the 1850s.- Overview :...
, so recreation management is shared by PG&E and the United States Forest Service
United States Forest Service
The United States Forest Service is an agency of the United States Department of Agriculture that administers the nation's 155 national forests and 20 national grasslands, which encompass...
.
Large areas along the northern shore of the lake are seasonal pasture used for summer and fall cattle grazing; some areas of these grazing grounds are under-water in wetter years. The wetlands at the north end also serve as breeding grounds for a variety of migratory waterfowl, most prominently Canadian Geese and various species of ducks including mallard
Mallard
The Mallard , or Wild Duck , is a dabbling duck which breeds throughout the temperate and subtropical Americas, Europe, Asia, and North Africa, and has been introduced to New Zealand and Australia....
, teal
Teal
Teal may mean:* Teal , a medium greenish-blue color* Various ducks:** Baikal Teal, Anas formosa** Black Teal, Aythya novaeseelandiae** Blue-winged Teal, Anas discors** Brown Teal, Anas aucklandica** Campbell Teal Anas nesiotis...
, and wigeon
Wigeon
The Eurasian Wigeon, also known as Widgeon or Eurasian Widgeon is one of three species of wigeon in the dabbling duck genus Anas. It is common and widespread within its range...
. Other large birds to be viewed around the lake are heron
Heron
The herons are long-legged freshwater and coastal birds in the family Ardeidae. There are 64 recognised species in this family. Some are called "egrets" or "bitterns" instead of "heron"....
, osprey
Osprey
The Osprey , sometimes known as the sea hawk or fish eagle, is a diurnal, fish-eating bird of prey. It is a large raptor, reaching more than in length and across the wings...
, and occasionally bald eagles, which nest on the Peninsula and West Shore. Each year in late June and early July, large insect hatches occur on the lake during the dusk hours. The insects, which the fish feed on, attract local fly fisherman who use imitation flys to catch the feeding fish.
The Almanor Basin Watershed Advisory Committee Group (ABWAC) received funding for a Watershed Assessment Project under California Prop 12, and one deliverable from this project was in an online map-based database of watershed information that runs in Google Earth - download the tour at: http://www.sierrainstitute.us/Almanorvirtualtour.html
Power Production
There is no powerhousePower station
A power station is an industrial facility for the generation of electric energy....
at the dam. Image of the Outlet tower to the Butt Valley Powerhouse tunnel near Prattville A tunnel (and finally a penstock) from the powerhouse outlet tower, in the lake between Prattville and the Plumas Pines Resort, delivers water to the Butt Valley Powerhouse at the north end of Butt Valley Reservoir, which has a capacity of 41 MW. From there, the water is sent by tunnel to either Caribou 1 or Caribou 2 Powerhouse, which have capacities of 120 and 74 MW respectively. Caribou 2 is favored because it is newer and more efficient. Their tailraces flow into Belden Reservoir. A portion of the water goes through the 1.3-MW Oak Flat Powerhouse, which is located at the bottom on Belden Dam. The rest goes to the 125-MW Belden Powerhouse by another tunnel. The water is then released into Rock Creek Reservoir. All of these powerhouse facilities are presently (2008) owned and operated by the Pacific Gas and Electric Company (PG&E), a major investor owned California utility.
