Lake Davis facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Lake Davis |
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 Lake Davis
Location in California
Lake Davis
Location in the United States
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| Location | Plumas County, California |
| Coordinates | 39°54′45″N 120°30′38″W / 39.91250°N 120.51056°W |
| Type | reservoir |
| Primary inflows | Big Grizzly Creek, Freeman Creek, Cow Creek, Dan Blough Creek |
| Primary outflows | Big Grizzly Creek |
| Catchment area | 44 square miles (110 km2) |
| Basin countries | United States |
| Max. length | 5 miles (8.0 km) |
| Max. width | 2 miles (3.2 km) |
| Surface area | 4,026 acres (1,629 ha) |
| Average depth | 21 feet (6.4 m) |
| Water volume | 83,000 acre-feet (102,000,000 m3) |
| Surface elevation | 5,777 feet (1,761 m) |
Lake Davis is a man-made lake in Plumas County, California. It is located near the Sierra Nevada mountains, close to the town of Portola. A large structure called Grizzly Valley Dam holds back the water to form the lake. The dam was finished in 1966. It is an important part of the California Water Project. The lake was named after Lester Thomas Davis, who lived from 1906 to 1952.
About Grizzly Valley Dam
| Grizzly Valley Dam | |
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| Country | United States |
| Location | Plumas County, California |
| Coordinates | 39°52′54″N 120°28′34″W / 39.88167°N 120.47611°W |
| Opening date | 1966 |
| Owner(s) | California Department of Water Resources |
| Dam and spillways | |
| Type of dam | Earth and rock |
| Impounds | Big Grizzly Creek |
| Height | 115 feet (35 m) |
| Length | 800 feet (240 m) |
| Elevation at crest | 5,785 feet (1,763 m) |
| Width (crest) | 30 feet (9.1 m) |
| Dam volume | 253,000 cubic yards (193,000 m3) |
| Reservoir | |
| Creates | Lake Davis |
| Total capacity | 83,000 acre-feet (102,000,000 m3) |
| Catchment area | 44 square miles (110 km2) |
| Maximum length | 5 miles (8.0 km) |
| Maximum width | 2 miles (3.2 km) |
Grizzly Valley Dam is made from earth and rocks. It is 800 feet (240 m) long and 115 feet (35 m) high. The dam is owned by the California Department of Water Resources. This department manages water for the state of California. The lake's water flows out into Big Grizzly Creek. This creek then joins the Middle Fork Feather River.
Fun Activities at Lake Davis
Lake Davis is a popular spot for outdoor activities. It is located inside the Plumas National Forest. The area around the lake is called the Lake Davis Recreation Area.
Many fun things can be done here, including:
- Boating on the lake
- Camping in campgrounds
- Cross-country skiing in winter
- Fishing for different kinds of fish
- Hunting in designated areas
- Mountain biking on trails
- Picnicking with friends and family
- Snowmobiling when there is snow
- Swimming in the lake
- Watching local wildlife
The Northern Pike Story
Between 1996 and 1997, Lake Davis was in the news. There was a big discussion about a fish called the northern pike. The number of pike in the lake grew very quickly. The California Department of Fish and Game (DFG) decided to treat the lake. They used a natural substance called rotenone. This substance is harmful to fish with gills.
The first attempt to get rid of the pike did not work completely. The pike population grew again. So, in September 2007, the DFG tried again. They first lowered the water level in the lake. The DFG was worried that the pike might escape the lake. They feared the pike could enter the Sacramento River system. This could harm native fish like steelhead and salmon. These fish travel between fresh and salt water.
Getting rid of the pike was a big debate. Northern pike are popular fish for sport fishing. People had already tried many ways to remove them. These methods included using explosives, nets, electric shocking, and poisons. Since the 2007 treatment, no northern pike have been officially found in Lake Davis.
