Lake Natoma

This was the site of many gold mining operations in the 1800s. In the 1950s, after the Folsom Dam was constructed as part of the Central Valley Project work began on Nimbus Dam which would manage water released from Folsom Dam. In addition to maintaining water flow the lake provides water to irrigation canals and generates hydro electric power. After Lake Natoma and Folsom Lake were built, the Bureau of Reclamation was given control of operation for both reservoirs and dams. Around 1956, the Bureau of Reclamation and California Department of Parks and Recreation, also known as State Parks, formed an agreement that State Parks will be responsible for recreational activities on Lake Natoma, as well as Folsom Lake. In 1979, the general plan for the State Recreational Area at Folsom Lake, including Lake Natoma, was amended three times before it was approved. As part of the 1979 General Plan amendment, the Folsom Powerhouse State Historic Park became a separate unit, not a part of the Folsom Unit. In 2002, multiple meetings were held for public input and for interested stakeholders to plan and prepare for recreational purposes adequate enough for the growing population. There was a 62% increase in population since the General Plan was accepted in 1979. == Physical features ==

Surrounding this narrow lake are foothills, plateaus, cliffs and river canyons. == Recreation ==

The area is accessible via U.S. Highway 50. also runs along the west side of the lake. Dirt trails Six miles of dirt trail lead to Nimbus Flat and Willow Creek. There are also dirt trails on both sides of Lake Natoma; one is six miles and other is nine miles. Nimbus Fish Hatchery Under Nimbus Dam and Lake Natoma lies the Nimbus Fish Hatchery, operated by the California Department of Fish and Wildlife, that was built in 1955 by the U.S Bureau of Reclamation. The California Department of Fish and Wildlife operates a visitor center here. The hatchery replicates spawning environments by creating a fish ladder that guides salmon and steelheads to spawn. For recreational fishing in the northern and Central California bodies of water, the hatchery produces 4 million Chinook salmon and over 400,000 steelhead trout per year. Folsom Powerhouse State Historic Park On the south bank of Lake Natoma lies the old Folsom Powerhouse State Historic Park, located in the City of Folsom at the intersection of Riley and Scott Streets. In 1895, the Folsom Powerhouse became the first powerhouse to generate electricity for the city of Sacramento.clarification needed] The facility, which included the powerhouse and a dam, operated until 1952 when construction of the modern Folsom Dam hydroelectric facility was completed. The new Folsom Dam rendered the old Folsom Powerhouse obsolete. The old dam that had been used in conjunction with the historic Folsom Powerhouse was removed during construction of the modern Folsom Dam facility.clarification needed] During its operation (1895-1952) the powerhouse delivered 11,000 volts of electricity over 22 miles to Sacramento. The historic site is listed in the National Register of Historic Places. There is a visitor center where the public can learn more about the history of the park. == Animals ==

Native animals known to live here are the mule deer, coyote, bobcat, mountain lion, quail, bald and golden eagle, heron, egret, western pond turtle, and California horned lizard. Other fish found here are bass, bluegill, and green sunfish. Right under Nimbus Dam are steelheads, Chinook salmon, American shad, and Pacific lampreys. Bald eagles and golden eagles can be found around Folsom Lake and Lake Natoma for nesting; about six bald eagles and two golden eagles are observed annually. Both are protected under the Federal Bald Eagle Protection Act of 1940. == Environmental issues ==

Mercury Fish at Lake Natoma were found to have high levels of mercury in their tissue. A sample of 22 fish showed that mercury levels had approached or exceed guidelines set by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, which is set at 3 microgram Hg/g wet weight. Since there were too few samples, it is not known for sure if mercury is randomly distributed throughout Lake Natoma. == See also ==