Frenchman Lake (California) facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Frenchman Lake |
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Frenchman Lake with the Beckwourth Complex Fire in the background in 2021
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 Frenchman Lake
Location in California
Frenchman Lake
Location in the United States
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| Location | Plumas County, California |
| Coordinates | 39°53′38″N 120°11′24″W / 39.89389°N 120.19000°W |
| Type | Reservoir |
| Primary inflows | Little Last Chance Creek |
| Primary outflows | Little Last Chance Creek |
| Basin countries | United States |
| Managing agency | California Department of Water Resources |
| Surface area | 1,580 acres (6 km2) |
| Average depth | 35 ft (11 m) |
| Max. depth | 101 ft (31 m) |
| Surface elevation | 5,588 ft (1,703 m) |
Frenchman Lake is a large, human-made lake, also called a reservoir, found in the beautiful mountains of southeastern Plumas County, California. It was created in 1961 by building a dam across a stream called Little Last Chance Creek. This lake is an important part of the California State Water Project, which helps manage water resources for the state.
The lake got its name from Frenchman Creek, one of the streams that flows into it. Frenchman Creek was named after a French immigrant named Claude Francois Seltier, who settled in this area way back in 1858.
Frenchman Dam: Building the Lake
The Frenchman Dam is the structure that holds back the water to create Frenchman Lake. It was finished in 1961. The dam was built by the California Department of Water Resources as part of the big California State Water Project. This project helps make sure California has enough water for its people and farms.
The dam is made of rock and earth. It stands about 129 feet (39 m) high, which is like a 10-story building! The top of the dam stretches for 720 feet (220 m), which is longer than two football fields. When the lake is full, it can hold a huge amount of water, about 55,477 acre-feet (68,430,000 m3).
Geography: Where is Frenchman Lake?
Frenchman Lake is located in a scenic part of California. When the lake is completely full, its surface is about 5,588 feet (1,703 m) above sea level. That's pretty high up in the mountains! The lake covers a large area of about 1,580 acres (6 km2), which is roughly the size of 1,200 football fields.
The shoreline of Frenchman Lake is quite long, stretching for about 21 miles (34 km). This means there's lots of space to explore along the edges of the lake. The deepest part of the lake goes down to 101 feet (31 m), but on average, it's about 35 feet (11 m) deep. The closest town to Frenchman Lake is Chilcoot-Vinton, California, which is about 8 miles (13 km) to the south.
Fun at Frenchman Lake: Recreation Area
The land around Frenchman Lake is managed by the United States Forest Service as part of the Plumas National Forest. This area is known as the Frenchman Lake Recreation Area, and it's a fantastic place for outdoor adventures! It's looked after by the Beckwourth Ranger District.
There are many fun things you can do at Frenchman Lake, especially during the summer:
- Camping: You can set up a tent or park an RV at one of the public campgrounds.
- Picnicking: Enjoy a meal outdoors with family and friends.
- Fishing: The lake is a popular spot for fishing.
- Hunting: Hunting is allowed in designated areas during certain seasons.
- Boating: You can bring your boat and cruise around the lake.
- Jet Skiing: For those who love speed on the water, jet skiing is a popular activity.
- Mountain Biking: Explore the trails around the lake on your bike.
- Swimming: Cool off in the lake's waters on a warm day.
- Water-skiing: Glide across the water pulled by a boat.
Even in winter, Frenchman Lake offers exciting activities:
- Ice Fishing: When the lake freezes over, people enjoy fishing through holes in the ice.
- Snowmobiling: Ride snowmobiles on the snowy trails.
- Cross-country Skiing: Explore the quiet winter landscape on skis.
You'll find several public campgrounds located along the south shore of the lake. These include Cottonwood Springs, Frenchman, Spring Creek, and Big Cove. There's also another campground located below the dam, right next to Little Last Chance Creek.
