Lake Isabella

Infobox lake
lake_name = Lake Isabella
image_lake = Wfm lake isabella landsat.jpg
caption_lake = Satellite photo
image_bathymetry =
caption_bathymetry =
location = Kern County, California
coords = coord|35|40|17.69|N|118|25|38.05|W|type:landmark_region:US-CA|display=inline,title
type = reservoir
inflow = Upper Kern River
outflow = Lower Kern River
catchment =
basin_countries = United States
length =
width =
area = 11,000 acres (45 km²)
depth =
max-depth =
volume =
residence_time =
shore =
elevation = 2,500 ft (760 m)
islands =
cities =
frozen =

Lake Isabella is a man-made earthen reservoir in Kern County, California that consists of a main and auxiliary dam. It was formed in 1953 when the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers dammed the Kern River at the junction of its two forks at Whiskey Flat. At 11,000 acres (45 km²), it is one of the largest reservoirs in California. The area is in the southern end of the Sierra Nevada range and the lake itself is located in low mountains at an elevation of approximately 2,500 feet (760 m) where summer temperatures reach over 100 degrees (°F) but low enough to avoid winter snows on the surrounding ridges. Lake Isabella is located about 40 miles (65 km) northeast of Bakersfield, and is the main water supply for that city. Lake Isabella can be reached by car from Bakersfield via state Highway 178 and from Delano via Highway 155.

In 2006 the Isabella Dam was found to be unstable to hold a full amount of water and approximately 40% of a full dam had to be let out to restabilze the earth works. Presently the Army Corps of Engineers won't let the water get above 60% of capacity until an estimated 10-15 years of studies and repairs are made. To further add to this problem the Isabella Dam bisects an active fault that could lead to a catastrophic failure when an earthquake occurs along it. This fault was considered inactive when the site was studied in the late 1940s.

The lake is a dividing point. Upper Kern River flows into Lake Isabella, Lower Kern River flows out of the lake and toward Bakersfield. The nearby towns of Lake Isabella and Kernville receive economic benefit from tourism created by the Lake Isabella Recreation Area and the whitewater rafting attraction of the Upper and Lower Kern River. Much of the wilderness surrounding the lake is part of the Sequoia National Forest.

Gallery

Weldon, California is on the left.
Mountain Mesa viewed from the north side of the lake.

ee also

* Isabella Dam

External links

*commonscat-inline|Lake Isabella