California Sierras

The Mokelumne river at Big Bar Launch, which is near Jackson on CA-49. Big Bar Launch is a small facility which I just happened to see as an escape from crazy traffic on CA-49. Probably due to the rushing waters after years of drought, it was a refreshing stop.

Wildflowers along the Mokelumne river at Big Bar Launch.

A reminder at Big Bar Launch of the relationship between the mountains and coastal urban water use. EBMUD stands for East Bay Municipal Water District, which provides water for much of the eastern portion of San Francisco Bay (e.g., Oakland, Berkeley, Concord) -- Oakland is 90 miles from this water source.

Bridge for CA-49, and the high water line for New Melones Lake, which is not a lake but a reservoir. New Melones Lake (reservoir) is on the Stanislaus river and is part of the Central Valley project that provides agricultural (your vegetables) and urban water for much of the Central Valley. The dam was completed in 1978 and the reservoir covers an earlier smaller dam and the former town of Mellones (see adjacent photo). See the Wikipedia on the reservoir: en.wikipedia.org/wiki/New_Melones_Lake On April 30 (3 days before the picture), the reservoir was at 41% of average for the date: cdec.water.ca.gov/cgi-progs/reservoirs/STORAGE

Story and pictures of the mining town of Melones, the site of the town is now covered by the reservoir.

Overlooking Red Lake, which is reservoir along CA-88 near the Carson Pass summit. The vista point that I'm at is at approximately 8450 feet. The reservoir primarily provides agricultural needs in the area.

Dam at Caples Lake (reservoir). The lake is at 7800 feet. I could not find the history of this dam, but a nearby second, earthen dam on the lake was built in 1922.

Caples Lake (reservoir) on CA-88 at 7800 feet.

Dam at Caples Lake (reservoir). The lake is at 7800 feet. I could not find the history of this dam, but a nearby second earthen dam on the lake was built in 1922.

Kern River from near Hobo campground.

Lake Isabella

Just north of east end of Lake Isabella.

South shore of Lake Isabella at Kissack Bay, the point in the distance is the east boundary of Kissack Cove. Part of the reason the lake is low is that it was discovered that there is an earthquake fault under the dam.

Sunset on the Kern River north of Kernville.

Just north of east end of Lake Isabella.

Sunset on the Kern River north of Kernville.

Sunset on the Kern River north of Kernville.

Kern River early in the morning, from the Hobo campground.