The California Delta is located roughly between Sacramento on the north and Stockton on the south and encompasses about 1,000 miles of waterways. The main contributing rivers are the Sacramento River, coming in from the north, and the San Joaquin River, coming in from the south. Other rivers feeding into the two major rivers include the American River, the Mokelumne River, the Cosumnes River and the Calaveras River. Before these rivers empty into the Pacific Ocean through the San Francisco Bay, they pass through some of the best boating waterways in this country, if not the world. The California Delta is a labyrinth of sloughs with names like Potato Slough, Whites Slough, Snodgrass Slough, Lost Slough, Georgiana Slough, Steamboat Slough, and many, many more. As one explores these watery avenues, vistas of vine-covered trees, blackberry brambles, or tule grasses appear at almost every turn. It truly is a boater's paradise.
Content Source: http://www.deltaboating.com/about.htm
Content Source: http://www.deltaboating.com/about.htm
Lake Tahoe
Blessed with magnificent natural beauty and located in the one most popular and desirable locations in the Western United States, Lake Tahoe is considered the jewel of the High Sierra. At 6,229 feet above sea level, Lake Tahoe is the highest lake of its size in the United States, measuring 22 miles long by 12 miles wide, with an average depth of 989 feet and 72 miles of shoreline.
Content Source: http://www.northlaketahoechamber.com/
Blessed with magnificent natural beauty and located in the one most popular and desirable locations in the Western United States, Lake Tahoe is considered the jewel of the High Sierra. At 6,229 feet above sea level, Lake Tahoe is the highest lake of its size in the United States, measuring 22 miles long by 12 miles wide, with an average depth of 989 feet and 72 miles of shoreline.
Content Source: http://www.northlaketahoechamber.com/
Lake Don Pedro
More than 13 million people have visited Don Pedro Lake since 1971. With 160 miles of shoreline and nearly 13,000 acre-feet of surface area (at maximum lake level), visitors can enjoy boating, fishing, water sports, swimming and camping. One of the highlights of the year is the annual fireworks show over the lake celebrating the Fourth of July.
Content Source: http://www.donpedrolake.com/AboutUs/index.htm
More than 13 million people have visited Don Pedro Lake since 1971. With 160 miles of shoreline and nearly 13,000 acre-feet of surface area (at maximum lake level), visitors can enjoy boating, fishing, water sports, swimming and camping. One of the highlights of the year is the annual fireworks show over the lake celebrating the Fourth of July.
Content Source: http://www.donpedrolake.com/AboutUs/index.htm
Clearlake
Clear Lake is the largest natural lake entirely in California, and has the largest surface area of any freshwater lake entirely in California, the tenth largest by capacity. It is located in Lake County and is fed by many streams, but its sole outlet is Cache Creek. There is a dam on Cache Creek to increase the lake's capacity and to regulate outflow. Clear Lake is 19 long, 8 mi wide at widest point, with surface area of 43,785 acres and a capacity of 1,155,000 acre-feet.
Clear Lake is believed to be one of the oldest lakes in North America, due to a geological fluke. The lake sits on a huge block of stone which slowly tilts in the northern direction at the same rate as the lake fills in with sediment, thus keeping the water at roughly the same depth. Core samples of the lake's sediments, taken by U.S. Geological Survey geologists in 1973 and 1980, indicate that the lake is at least 480,000 years old. Content Source: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Clear_Lake
Clear Lake is the largest natural lake entirely in California, and has the largest surface area of any freshwater lake entirely in California, the tenth largest by capacity. It is located in Lake County and is fed by many streams, but its sole outlet is Cache Creek. There is a dam on Cache Creek to increase the lake's capacity and to regulate outflow. Clear Lake is 19 long, 8 mi wide at widest point, with surface area of 43,785 acres and a capacity of 1,155,000 acre-feet.
Clear Lake is believed to be one of the oldest lakes in North America, due to a geological fluke. The lake sits on a huge block of stone which slowly tilts in the northern direction at the same rate as the lake fills in with sediment, thus keeping the water at roughly the same depth. Core samples of the lake's sediments, taken by U.S. Geological Survey geologists in 1973 and 1980, indicate that the lake is at least 480,000 years old. Content Source: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Clear_Lake
Bullards Bar
Bullards Bar Reservoir is at an elevation of 2,000 feet in the Tahoe and Plumas National Forests surrounded by rugged countryside. This lake has 4,700 surface acres and over 56 miles of shoreline. The area is heavily wooded so all campsites are shaded by trees. All boating is allowed including water-skiing. Fishing is open year around for both warm and cold water fish. The Kokanee Salmon is a favorite here for fishermen. The Emerald Cove Marina is a full service facility offering houseboat and fishing boat rentals, private houseboat moorings, boat access camps, lakeside camping and an unimproved area for RVs.
Content Source: http://www.aboutnevadacounty.com/lakes/bullardsbar/
Bullards Bar Reservoir is at an elevation of 2,000 feet in the Tahoe and Plumas National Forests surrounded by rugged countryside. This lake has 4,700 surface acres and over 56 miles of shoreline. The area is heavily wooded so all campsites are shaded by trees. All boating is allowed including water-skiing. Fishing is open year around for both warm and cold water fish. The Kokanee Salmon is a favorite here for fishermen. The Emerald Cove Marina is a full service facility offering houseboat and fishing boat rentals, private houseboat moorings, boat access camps, lakeside camping and an unimproved area for RVs.
Content Source: http://www.aboutnevadacounty.com/lakes/bullardsbar/
Whiskey Town
Web cam for lake conditions http://www.whiskeytowncam.com/index.html
Located 8 miles west of Redding, Whiskeytown National Recreation Area is located at the juncture of the Klamath Mountain range and the northern edge of the Sacramento Valley, making it home to a special collection of animal and plant life. Some of the park's features are Whiskeytown Lake, Shasta Bally (6,209 ft.) and numerous waterfalls, providing outdoor enthusiasts opportunities for water recreation, hiking, mountain biking and horseback riding.
Lake based recreation is popular during the drier summer months. Whiskeytown Lake provides 36 miles of shoreline and 3,200 surface acres for recreation. Its placid surface is excellent for swimming, scuba diving, kayaking, rowing and fishing. Sailing, water skiing and boating are also popular.
Source: http://www.nps.gov/whis/
Web cam for lake conditions http://www.whiskeytowncam.com/index.html
Located 8 miles west of Redding, Whiskeytown National Recreation Area is located at the juncture of the Klamath Mountain range and the northern edge of the Sacramento Valley, making it home to a special collection of animal and plant life. Some of the park's features are Whiskeytown Lake, Shasta Bally (6,209 ft.) and numerous waterfalls, providing outdoor enthusiasts opportunities for water recreation, hiking, mountain biking and horseback riding.
Lake based recreation is popular during the drier summer months. Whiskeytown Lake provides 36 miles of shoreline and 3,200 surface acres for recreation. Its placid surface is excellent for swimming, scuba diving, kayaking, rowing and fishing. Sailing, water skiing and boating are also popular.
Source: http://www.nps.gov/whis/
Lake Shasta
Shasta Lake Water level http://www.shastalake.com/shastalake/index.html
Situated in northern California, in the center of this diverse recreation area, lies the houseboat capital of the west, Lake Shasta. Within view of majestic Mt. Shasta, and surrounded by evergreen forests, the area is a natural wonder to behold and offers many routes for taking scenic drives.
Shasta Lake Water level http://www.shastalake.com/shastalake/index.html
Situated in northern California, in the center of this diverse recreation area, lies the houseboat capital of the west, Lake Shasta. Within view of majestic Mt. Shasta, and surrounded by evergreen forests, the area is a natural wonder to behold and offers many routes for taking scenic drives.
Watersports are the main attraction of the lake, and include fishing, boating, water skiing, and scuba. If you like to bike, there are some great bike trails in Shasta-Trinity national forest; and for the foot traveler, there are many hiking trails. And the woods offer a bounty of wild game, if hunting is your sport.
Another very popular recreation in northern California is gold prospecting. About.com guide Steve Draper not only lives here, but also prospects and owns a campground.
If you crave beautiful vistas, water sports, outdoor recreation and camping, Lake Shasta is a great destination to consider!
Source: http://camping.about.com/library/weekly/aa083198.htm
Source: http://camping.about.com/library/weekly/aa083198.htm
Oroville
Near the City of Oroville this man-made lake was formed by the tallest earth-filled dam (770 feet above the stream bed of the Feather River) in the country.
Near the City of Oroville this man-made lake was formed by the tallest earth-filled dam (770 feet above the stream bed of the Feather River) in the country.
The lake offers a wide variety of outdoor activities including camping, picnicking, horseback riding, hiking, sail and power boating, water-skiing, fishing, swimming, boat-in camping, floating campsites and horse camping. Source: http://www.parks.ca.gov/default.asp?page_id=462
Lake Berryessa
Nestled between Blue Ridge and Cedar Roughs, east of the Napa Valley, Lake Berryessa offers year-round recreation opportunities. Berryessa's water reaches temperatures of up to 75 degrees in the summer, making it an ideal place for water sports. Anglers enjoy fishing for both cold and warm water species, such as rainbow trout, bass, catfish, crappie, and bluegill.
Nestled between Blue Ridge and Cedar Roughs, east of the Napa Valley, Lake Berryessa offers year-round recreation opportunities. Berryessa's water reaches temperatures of up to 75 degrees in the summer, making it an ideal place for water sports. Anglers enjoy fishing for both cold and warm water species, such as rainbow trout, bass, catfish, crappie, and bluegill.
Lake Berryessa is the reservoir for the Solano Project which is owned by the Bureau of Reclamation and operated under a cooperative agreement by the Solano County Water Agency/Solano Irrigation District. The project provides flood control protection to the city of Winters and other downstream communities and high-quality water supply for irrigation and the cities of Vacaville, Suisun City, Vallejo, and Fairfield. At capacity, Lake Berryessa stores 1.6 million acre feet of water and is one of the largest bodies of fresh water in California. The lake is 23 miles long, 3 miles wide, with 165 miles of shoreline. Reclamation and the California Department of Fish and Game jointly manage a 2,000-acre wildlife area along the east side of the lake.
The Bureau of Reclamation (Reclamation) provides several free recreation locations including two large day use areas (Oak Shores and Smittle Creek); Capell Cove launch ramp; and many smaller dispersed day use areas.
Content Source: http://www.usbr.gov/mp/ccao/field_offices/lake_berryessa/index.html
Content Source: http://www.usbr.gov/mp/ccao/field_offices/lake_berryessa/index.html
Lake Sonoma
Nestled at the end of Dry Creek, one of the world's most prestigious wine growing regions, Lake Sonoma is one of the prime recreational areas in Northern California which receives well over a million visitors annually. Completed in 1983 by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Warm Springs Dam forms Lake Sonoma with over 2,700 surface acres of water for canoes, sailboats, motorboats, fishing and skiing. Forty miles of trails are available to horseback riders and hikers. In addition to developed campgrounds, boat-in campsites and many picnic areas, Lake Sonoma hosts the Don Clausen Fish Hatchery, which is the most modern fish hatchery in the State of California.
Content Source: http://www.parks.sonoma.net/
Nestled at the end of Dry Creek, one of the world's most prestigious wine growing regions, Lake Sonoma is one of the prime recreational areas in Northern California which receives well over a million visitors annually. Completed in 1983 by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Warm Springs Dam forms Lake Sonoma with over 2,700 surface acres of water for canoes, sailboats, motorboats, fishing and skiing. Forty miles of trails are available to horseback riders and hikers. In addition to developed campgrounds, boat-in campsites and many picnic areas, Lake Sonoma hosts the Don Clausen Fish Hatchery, which is the most modern fish hatchery in the State of California.
Content Source: http://www.parks.sonoma.net/
Sacramento River
The Sacramento River, California's largest river, is your ticket to beating the summer heat and escaping the tumult of everyday life. Flowing 375 miles, from the shadow of Mount Shasta in the north through the Central Valley and the Delta to San Francisco Bay, this river constitutes an irreplaceable resource to Northern California's ecology.Boating, fishing, camping and swimming on the Sacramento and its reservoirs attract more than 8 million visitors a year. The river's salmon fishery alone generates over $100 million annually, and more than 70% of the salmon caught off California's coast spawn in the Sacramento River and its hatcheries.
Content Source: http://www.dbw.ca.gov/Pubs/Redding/INDEX.HTM
The Sacramento River, California's largest river, is your ticket to beating the summer heat and escaping the tumult of everyday life. Flowing 375 miles, from the shadow of Mount Shasta in the north through the Central Valley and the Delta to San Francisco Bay, this river constitutes an irreplaceable resource to Northern California's ecology.Boating, fishing, camping and swimming on the Sacramento and its reservoirs attract more than 8 million visitors a year. The river's salmon fishery alone generates over $100 million annually, and more than 70% of the salmon caught off California's coast spawn in the Sacramento River and its hatcheries.
Content Source: http://www.dbw.ca.gov/Pubs/Redding/INDEX.HTM
Folsom Lake offers 75 miles of shoreline. Usually open 7 days a week, 7:00 a.m. to 10:00 p.m., contact the park office for seasonal variations. Facilities include 3 public campgrounds, 2 with showers, 60 miles of equestrian trails, 10 miles of paved bicycle trails, 8 miles of advanced mountain bike trails, and excellent year-round bank or boat fishing. Several launch ramps provide continuous boat launching access throughout the lake fluctuation zone. At capacity, Good fishing for both cold- and warm-water species including rainbow trout, brown trout, black bass, catfish, crappie, and bluegill. The American River Water Education Center at Folsom Dam contains exhibits that promote water education directly related to the American River Watershed. Content Source: http://www.recreation.gov/recAreaDetails.do?contractCode=NRSO&recAreaId=11&agencyCode=129
San Francisco/San Pablo Bay
San Pablo Bay is a shallow tidal estuary that forms the northern extension of San Francisco Bay in northern California in the United States. It receives the waters of the Sacramento and San Joaquin rivers, via Suisun Bay and the Carquinez Strait on its east end, and it connects to San Francisco Bay on its south end. The bay is heavily silted from the contributions of the two rivers, which themselves drain most of the Central Valley of California. At the Napa Sonoma Marsh San Pablo bay also receives the waters of Sonoma Creek , Petaluma River, and the Napa River, the latter of which flows into the Carquinez Strait via the Mare Island Strait near its entrance into the bay. The bay is approximately 10 miles across and has an area of approximately 90 square miles. The bay is shared between Contra Costa, Solano, Sonoma and Marin counties, the boundaries of which meet near the center of the bay
Content Source: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/San_Pablo_Bay
San Pablo Bay is a shallow tidal estuary that forms the northern extension of San Francisco Bay in northern California in the United States. It receives the waters of the Sacramento and San Joaquin rivers, via Suisun Bay and the Carquinez Strait on its east end, and it connects to San Francisco Bay on its south end. The bay is heavily silted from the contributions of the two rivers, which themselves drain most of the Central Valley of California. At the Napa Sonoma Marsh San Pablo bay also receives the waters of Sonoma Creek , Petaluma River, and the Napa River, the latter of which flows into the Carquinez Strait via the Mare Island Strait near its entrance into the bay. The bay is approximately 10 miles across and has an area of approximately 90 square miles. The bay is shared between Contra Costa, Solano, Sonoma and Marin counties, the boundaries of which meet near the center of the bay
Content Source: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/San_Pablo_Bay