Lake Pillsbury
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
| Lake Pillsbury | |
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| Location | Lake County, California |
| Coordinates | Latitude: 392426N Longitude: 1225727W |
| Lake type | reservoir |
| Primary outflows | Eel River |
| Catchment area | 289 sq mi (750 km²)[1] |
| Basin countries | United States |
| Surface area | 2,000 acres (8 km²)[1] |
| Water volume | 73,000 acre feet (90,000,000 m³)[1] |
| Shore length1 | 65 miles (100 km) |
| Surface elevation | 1,818 ft (554 m) |
| 1 Shore length is not a well-defined measure. | |
Lake Pillsbury is a reservoir located 147 miles (237 km) north of San Francisco in the Mendocino National Forest, California, USA. It is on the South Fork Eel River with recreational facilities for camping and boating. Elevation is 1,818 feet (554 m) with 65 miles (105 km) of shoreline and 2,003 acres (8 km²) of water surface.[2] Activities in the Lake Pillsbury Recreation Area include powerboating, fishing, swimming, sailing, picnicking, hiking and hang gliding. There are two main access roads to the lake. At the north end of the lake is a small gravel airstrip.
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[edit] History
In 1906, W.W. Van Arsdale formed the Eel River Power and Irrigation Company and contracted with the city of Ukiah for a hydroelectric generating station to increase electricity supply for the city. A diversion dam was built on the Eel River and a mile-long tunnel was constructed to divert water into the Russian River. A powerhouse was constructed in Potter Valley. It was called the Eel River Project.
Later that year, the Snow Mountain Water and Power Company incorporated and took over the project from Van Arsdale's company. By 1908 water was being diverted to the power plant and then to the Russian River. Part two of the project was building the dam which created Lake Pillsbury, located 12 miles upstream. It was completed in 1922 and maintains water flow to the hydroelectric plant during times of low water runoff. Pacific, Gas and Electric Company acquired the project in 1933, and maintains the facilities today. The lake is named for one of the founders of Snow Mountain Water and Power Company. The Pillsbury hydroelectric plant is the only one in the north coast region of California.[3]
The Eel River Project is now known as the Potter Valley Project.
[edit] Recreation
There are five campgrounds, two group campgrounds, two paved boat ramps and a resort at the lake. The Lake Pillsbury Resort operates a marina with rentals, boat slips and supplies. All types of boating are allowed including boat camping.
California Department of Fish and Game stock the lake with trout annually. Other fish include black bass, steelhead, and pikeminnow.
Health Advisory-Date: September 2000 Because of elevated levels of mercury in fish, women who are pregnant or may become pregnant within a year, nursing mothers, and children under age six should not eat fish from Lake Pillsbury in Lake County. Other adults and children age six and older may eat fish on an occasional but not regular, basis. [4]
Hiking trails are nearby including an interpretive loop nature trail at Sunset Campground. No hunting is allowed in the recreation area and herds of elk may been seen roaming the meadows at the lake's north end.
[edit] References
- ^ a b c Dams Within the Jurisdiction of the State of California. Retrieved on 2008-03-23.
- ^ Dirkson, Diane Recreation Lakes of California, Recreation Sales Publishing, 1999
- ^ Baxter, Don J. Lakes of California, Compiled from P.G. & E.'s newsletter Progress, 1972, pp.33-34
- ^ California Environmental Protective Agency Office of Environmental Health Hazard Assessment Fact Sheet. Website:http://www.oehha.ca.gov/fish/pdf/lpfacts.pdf (retrieved 2/23/08)
