Englebright Lake facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Englebright Lake |
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| Harry L. Englebright Lake | |
Aerial view of dam and lake
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 Englebright Lake
Location in California
Englebright Lake
Location in the United States
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| Location | Nevada County / Yuba County, California, United States |
| Coordinates | 39°14′25″N 121°16′13″W / 39.24028°N 121.27028°W |
| Type | Reservoir |
| Basin countries | United States |
| Surface area | 815 acres (330 ha) |
Englebright Lake is a beautiful lake in Northern California. It's a large reservoir (a human-made lake) that holds water from the Yuba River. This lake was created by the Englebright Dam and is nestled in the Sierra Nevada mountains.
Englebright Lake covers about 815 acres, which is like 600 football fields! It has almost 24 miles of shoreline, perfect for exploring. The lake is located in both Yuba County and Nevada County. If you want to visit, the main boat launch and marina, called Skippers Cove, are near Smartsville. The lake is named after Harry L. Englebright, a former U.S. Representative who helped the area.
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How Englebright Lake Was Made
Englebright Lake was formed in 1941 when the Englebright Dam was finished. The dam was built to collect debris (like rocks and dirt) from old mining operations upstream. The Yuba River feeds into the lake, and further upstream, the South Yuba River also joins it.
The Englebright Dam
The Englebright Dam is a strong concrete structure. It stretches 1,142 feet across a narrow river canyon. The dam stands 260 feet tall from the bottom of the gorge. This steep canyon is often called the "narrows" because of its tight shape. The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers built and now manages the dam and the lake.
Powering Homes with Water
A few years after the dam was built, two power plants were added downstream. These plants use the water from the lake to create electricity. This power helps light up about 50,000 homes!
Fun Things to Do at Englebright Lake
Englebright Lake is a popular spot for outdoor activities. It offers many ways to enjoy nature, from fishing to boating and camping.
Fishing Adventures
Englebright Lake is a great place to go fishing. You can find many types of fish here, including:
- Rainbow trout
- Brown trout
- Largemouth bass
- Smallmouth bass
- Kokanee salmon
- Catfish
- Several kinds of sunfish
To help keep the lake full of fish, there's a special program. They raise trout in pens and then release them into the lake. This helps make sure there are always plenty of fish for everyone to catch!
Safe Eating Guidelines for Fish
Because of past mining in the area, some fish in the lake have higher levels of mercury. The California Office of Environmental Health Hazard Assessment (OEHHA) has created a special guide. This guide tells you how much of certain fish you can safely eat. You can find this information on the OEHHA website or in fishing rulebooks from the California Department of Fish and Wildlife.
Boating Fun
Englebright Lake is perfect for boating. It has two boat launches and a marina with many docks. You can enjoy about 9 miles of lake for boating. People come here for:
- Day trips on the water
- Camping by boat
- Spending time on personal houseboats
Skippers Cove Marina also rents out different kinds of boats. You can rent houseboats, fishing boats, party boats, and ski boats. This means you can have fun on the lake even if you don't own a boat!
Camping by Boat
Englebright Lake offers unique boat-in campsites. These spots can only be reached by boat. They are available on a first-come, first-served basis. Each campsite has:
- Restrooms
- A fire grill for cooking
- A lantern hanger
- A flat spot for your tent
You can also camp on the lake by staying on a houseboat. You can either own one and keep it at the marina or rent one from Skippers Cove.
How Water is Used
The water stored in Englebright Lake has many important uses beyond just recreation.
- Generating Power: As mentioned, the water helps create electricity for many homes.
- Helping Farms: Water is also sent to farms for irrigation, helping crops grow.
- Protecting Fish: Cold water released from the dam helps protect salmon and other fish living in the lower Yuba River.
