Folsom Lake facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Folsom Lake |
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Folsom Lake in 2006
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 Folsom Lake
Location in California
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| Location | Northern California |
| Coordinates | 38°44′N 121°08′W / 38.73°N 121.14°W |
| Type | Reservoir |
| Primary inflows | American River |
| Primary outflows | American River |
| Basin countries | United States |
| Surface area | 11,450 acres (4,630 ha) |
| Water volume | 976,000 acre-feet (1.204×109 m3) |
| Dam | Folsom Dam |
Folsom Lake is a large reservoir located on the American River in the Sierra Nevada foothills of California, United States. It's like a giant bathtub that holds water!
This lake stretches across parts of Placer, El Dorado, and Sacramento counties. It's about 25 mi (40 km) northeast of the city of Sacramento. Folsom Lake covers a huge area of 11,500 acres (about 46.54 square kilometers) and has a shoreline that winds for 75 mi (121 km). It's one of the most popular parks in California!
It's good to know that experts have shared advice about eating fish from Folsom Lake. This advice is based on what they've found in the fish there. Always check for the latest information to make sure you're eating safely.
Contents
How Folsom Lake Was Created
Folsom Lake was formed by the Folsom Dam, which was built in 1955. This big dam was made to control the American River and hold back its water. The dam and lake are part of a bigger plan called the Folsom Project.
The Folsom Project helps with many important things. It controls floods, creates hydroelectricity (power from water), provides drinking water, and supplies water for farms to grow crops.
When the dam was finished, it was designed to hold a massive 976,000 acre-feet (1,204,000 dam3) of water. The dam itself is 1400 feet (about 427 meters) wide and 340 feet (about 104 meters) high. It's a strong concrete structure, supported by about 9 miles (about 14.5 kilometers) of earth walls around it.
A Town Under the Water
During a big drought in 2013, something amazing happened. A town called Mormon Island reappeared! This town had been underwater for 58 years since Folsom Lake was created. As the lake's water level dropped, old stone walls from the town became visible again. It was like a hidden secret being revealed!
Fun at Folsom Lake State Recreation Area
The area around Folsom Lake is called the Folsom Lake State Recreation Area (SRA). It's managed by the California Department of Parks and Recreation. This place is super popular for outdoor fun! About 85% of all visitors come for water activities.
You can do so many things here, like hiking on trails, camping under the stars, and biking along the shore. The lake is also a great spot for fishing, boating, water-skiing, and even horseback riding.
Most of the land in the SRA is owned by the U.S. government, but the state parks manage it for everyone to enjoy.
Getting to the Lake
It's easy to get to Folsom Lake SRA from major roads like Highway 80 and Highway 50. There are also many local roads, trails, and public transportation options that lead to the park. Some key roads include Douglas Boulevard and Auburn/Folsom Road.
Popular trails like the Jedidiah Smith Memorial Trail and Pioneer Express Trail are also here. You can even take public buses like Placer County Transit or Folsom Stageline to get close to the fun.
Exploring the Recreation Area
The recreation area is located where the north and south parts of the American River meet. It covers a huge 20,000 acres of water and land. The SRA stretches across three counties: El Dorado, Placer, and Sacramento, and also touches the City of Folsom.
Fishing at Folsom Lake can be a bit tricky because the water levels go up and down. But you can still catch many types of fish, including largemouth bass, rainbow trout, and catfish.
There are five main areas where visitors spend the day: Granite Bay, Beales Point, Folsom Point, Negro Bar, and Nimbus Flats.
Visitor Facilities
Granite Bay and Beals Point are the main spots on the western side of Folsom Lake. They have big day-use areas with swimming beaches, boat launches, restrooms, and picnic spots. You can even find snack bars and places to rent beach gear. Granite Bay has a center you can rent for events, and Beals Point has a campground with 69 sites.
On the eastern side, you'll find Brown’s Ravine and Folsom Point. Brown’s Ravine is home to the Folsom Lake Marina, where boats can dock. It also has fueling stations and picnic areas. Folsom Point offers a picnic area, boat launch, and restrooms.
All these locations have great facilities like swim beaches, picnic areas, and restrooms. You'll also find trailheads with over 94 miles (about 151 kilometers) of trails! These trails are perfect for hikers, runners, mountain bikers, and horseback riders.
Wildlife Around Folsom Lake
The area around Folsom Lake is home to many plants and animals.
Plants and Trees
You'll see trees like California buckeye, blue oak, and black oaks. In the spring, the area bursts with colorful wildflowers. Look for Indian paintbrush, California poppy, and lupine.
Mammals
Many mammals live near the lake. You might spot coyotes, gray foxes, rabbits, skunks, and raccoons. There are also ground squirrels and black-tailed deer. Sometimes, lucky visitors might even see mountain lions, bobcats, or black bears!
Birds
Lots of birds call Folsom Lake home all year round. You'll hear bushtits, quails, and wrens. Near the water, you might see kingfishers, red-tailed hawks, and eagles soaring overhead, looking for fish.
Managing the Lake's Water
Folsom Dam and Lake play a super important role in preventing floods.
Flood Control
For eight months of the year, from October to May, the dam and lake work to stop floods on the lower part of the American River. The Sacramento area is known for flooding, and the dam helps control the water from winter storms and melting snow from the Sierra Nevada mountains.
Folsom Lake is a key part of the American River Watershed, which is the area of land that drains into the American River.
Water for Life
During the summer, water is released from the lake. This helps keep the water quality good in the San Joaquin Delta and keeps the water cool for special fish like Chinook salmon. These fish are very important, and their numbers have been going down.
Water from Folsom Lake is also used for drinking water and to make electricity all year long. Because it's a reservoir, the water levels in the lake change. They are usually higher in early summer and lower in early winter. In years with little rain, the water levels can drop even more. How much water is in the lake depends on things like how much rain falls, how much water is needed downstream, and what the fish need.
