Benbow Lake State Recreation Area facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Benbow Lake State Recreation Area |
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 Benbow Lake State Recreation Area
Location in California
Benbow Lake State Recreation Area
Location in the United States
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| Location | Humboldt County, California, USA |
| Nearest city | Garberville, California |
| Area | 1,142 acres (4.62 km2) |
| Established | 1958 |
| Governing body | California Department of Parks and Recreation |
Benbow Lake State Recreation Area is a state park unit of California in the United States. It is located in Humboldt County 2 miles (3.2 km) south of Garberville on U.S. Route 101 on the South Fork Eel River.
Benbox dam was constructed across the South Fork Eel River in 1928 to provide hydroelectric power for development in Garberville, impounding a reservoir. The Benbow family, interested in preserving the natural scene along the river, made efforts to place the land under state protection. In 1956 funds were approved for the Benbow Project and the first 207 acres (84 ha) were purchased in 1958. The seasonal dam was removed in 2016 due to the negative impact on the fish.
The park has grown to 1,142 acres (462 ha). There are campsites and a large day-use picnic area. Hiking, picnicking and camping are popular summer time activities, while salmon and steelhead fishing are popular in the winter.
