Lake Natoma | |
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View from Nimbus Dam Overlook in 2014 | |
Location | Sacramento County, California |
Coordinates | 38°39′14″N 121°11′31″W / 38.654°N 121.192°W |
Type | Reservoir |
Primary inflows | American River |
Primary outflows | American River |
Catchment area | 1,898 sq mi (4,920 km2) |
Basin countries | United States |
Average depth | 46 ft (14 m) |
Water volume | 8,760 acre-feet (10,810 dam3) |
Shore length1 | ~10 mi (16 km) |
Surface elevation | 128 ft (39 m) |
Settlements | Folsom, California |
1 Shore length is not a well-defined measure. |
Lake Natoma is a small lake in the Western United States, along the lower American River, between Folsom and Nimbus Dams in Sacramento County, California. The lake is located within the Folsom Lake State Recreation Area which maintains the facilities and bike trails surrounding the lake. Lake Natoma is located 15 miles (24 km) east of Sacramento, and has 500 surface acres of water. The total length of lake Natoma is 4 miles (6.4 km).
Lake Natoma is a recreational lake for rowing, kayaking, and swimming; powerboats are permitted with a 5 mph (8 km/h) "no wake" restriction. It is home to the Sacramento State Aquatic Center, and regularly hosts West Coast College Rowing Championships, the Pac-12 Conference rowing championships, and, every four years, the Intercollegiate Rowing Association Championships. The Lake Natoma Four Bridges Half Marathon is held each October at the lake.
Lake Natoma includes the historic Black Miners Bar area in Folsom, the site of a gold rush era African-American mining camp.[1]
The Folsom Powerhouse State Historic Park overlooks Lake Natoma in the city of Folsom. It is a California State Historical site, preserving an early hydroelectric power station.
A paved cycling and jogging trail encircles the lake along with unpaved equestrian trails. The Folsom South Canal Trail also begins at the lake. Several parking lots and boat launching ramps are located around the lake.