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History:
The present shoreline of Don Pedro Lake was created in 1971 when
the New Don Pedro Dam was completed. Prior to then, a concrete dam
built in 1923 backed the Tuolumne river some 1.5 miles upstream
from the new dam's location, creating a much smaller lake than the
present one. The old dam is still in place, but 250 feet below water. The present earth and rock fill dam was built by the City of San Francisco, the Turlock Irrigation District , and the Modesto Irrigation District. It rises some 585 feet above the old streambed of the tuolumne river, creating a maximum lake level/elevation of 830 feet above sea level. Charter: The recreation facilities are maintained and operated by the Don Pedro Recreation Agency, an entity of the reservoir owners and governed by the Don Pedro Board of Control. It is the Recreation Agency's objective to provide a quality family camping and water sports oriented environment. Geology: Don Pedro Lake is situated in a canyon carved out by the Tuolumne river during the last few million years. The surrounding landscape is, in general, a rolling hill country of deep red ferrous soils overlying a granite bedrock. Evidence of this granite intrusion can be seen throughout the Tuolumne River Basin where the river has carved through this topsoil down to the bedrock below, exposing the large granite outcroppings visible throughout the area. Also visible are some sedimentary rock formations of the geologic layer known as the great valley layer. Interspersed through these two formations are intrusions of mica and schist. Environment: The lake's recreation areas average 900-1000 feet in elevation, placing them in an oak woodland environment. Summer air temperatures reach in to the upper 90's and low 100's with the lake surface water temperature averaging 80 degrees. In the winter, temperatures are relatively mild, sometimes bringing a light frost. The winter lake surface water temperature averages about 58 degrees. Click here to get the current temperature and weather forecast. Tributaries: Some of the Tuolumne River's tributaries which drain directly into Don Pedro Lake are (in alphabetical order) Big Creek, Fleming Creek, Hatch Creek, Moccasin Creek, Ramos Creek, Rodgers Creek, Rough and Ready Creek, Sullivan Creek, West Fork Creek, Woods Creek. Wildlife: Don Pedro's ecosystem attracts much of the wildlife that is typical of the Sierra foothills. Mule deer, raccoons, squirrels, coyote, fox, Golden and Bald Eagles, Ravens and field mice are typical of the land animals. The Lake itself supports Bass, Salmon, Rainbow and Brown Trout, Crappie and Bluegill fish. |
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