Topaz Lake
Encyclopedia
Topaz Lake is a reservoir located on the California-Nevada
border, about 75 miles (120.7 km) south of Reno
.
The lake was formed by diverting waters from the West Walker River
into a nearby basin that had previously contained a smaller, natural lake. The initial construction took place in 1922, resulting in a reservoir with a capacity of 45000 acre.ft. In 1937, a new levee raised the capacity to its current 126000 acre.ft. Topaz Lake is a relatively large with a maximum pool of 126000 acre.ft, with 2410 acres (9.8 km²) surface, a length of 3.5 miles, with a width of 1.5 miles and maximum depth of 92 feet.
Topaz Lake is popular for boaters, water-skiers, campers, and fishermen. Fishing season runs from January 1 to September 30, and the lake is stocked with trout by the Nevada Department of Wildlife
and the California Department of Fish and Game
. The lake is easily reachable by U.S. Route 395
. On the northwest shore of the lake is the Topaz Lodge, and a residential area. There is also a volunteer fire station in the area.
Route 395 passes by the west side of the lake at the California-Nevada state line. The southeastern terminus of California State Route 89
is 3 miles (4.8 km) south of the state line. The western terminus of Nevada State Route 208
is 2 miles (3.2 km) north of the state line.
Nevada
Nevada is a state in the western, mountain west, and southwestern regions of the United States. With an area of and a population of about 2.7 million, it is the 7th-largest and 35th-most populous state. Over two-thirds of Nevada's people live in the Las Vegas metropolitan area, which contains its...
border, about 75 miles (120.7 km) south of Reno
Reno, Nevada
Reno is the county seat of Washoe County, Nevada, United States. The city has a population of about 220,500 and is the most populous Nevada city outside of the Las Vegas metropolitan area...
.
The lake was formed by diverting waters from the West Walker River
West Walker River
The West Walker River is a tributary of the Walker River, approximately long, in eastern California and western Nevada in the United States. It drains part of the Sierra Nevada range along the California-Nevada border in the watershed of Walker Lake in the Great Basin.It rises from snowmelt in the...
into a nearby basin that had previously contained a smaller, natural lake. The initial construction took place in 1922, resulting in a reservoir with a capacity of 45000 acre.ft. In 1937, a new levee raised the capacity to its current 126000 acre.ft. Topaz Lake is a relatively large with a maximum pool of 126000 acre.ft, with 2410 acres (9.8 km²) surface, a length of 3.5 miles, with a width of 1.5 miles and maximum depth of 92 feet.
Topaz Lake is popular for boaters, water-skiers, campers, and fishermen. Fishing season runs from January 1 to September 30, and the lake is stocked with trout by the Nevada Department of Wildlife
Nevada Department of Wildlife
The Nevada Department of Wildlife is the state agency responsible for the restoration and management of fish and wildlife resources, and the promotion of boating safety on Nevada’s waters. NDOW has responsibility for the wildlife resources and enforcement of the wildlife and boating safety laws on...
and the California Department of Fish and Game
California Department of Fish and Game
The California Department of Fish and Game is a department within the government of California, falling under its parent California Natural Resources Agency. The Department of Fish and Game manages and protects the state's diverse fish, wildlife, plant resources, and native habitats...
. The lake is easily reachable by U.S. Route 395
U.S. Route 395
U.S. Route 395 is a U.S. Route in the western United States. The southern terminus of the route is in the Mojave Desert at Interstate 15 near Hesperia. The northern terminus is at the Canadian border near Laurier, where the road becomes Highway 395 upon entering British Columbia. At one time, the...
. On the northwest shore of the lake is the Topaz Lodge, and a residential area. There is also a volunteer fire station in the area.
Route 395 passes by the west side of the lake at the California-Nevada state line. The southeastern terminus of California State Route 89
California State Route 89
State Route 89 is a California State Highway that travels in the north–south direction, and is the major thoroughfare for many mountain communities. It starts from U.S. Route 395 near Topaz Lake, winding its way up to the Monitor Pass, down to the Carson River, and up again over the Luther...
is 3 miles (4.8 km) south of the state line. The western terminus of Nevada State Route 208
Nevada State Route 208
State Route 208 is a state highway within the counties of Douglas and Lyon in Nevada, USA. It connects U.S. Route 395 north of Topaz Lake to Alternate U.S. Route 95 in Yerington. The road serves as the primary transportation corridor of Smith Valley and is Main street in Yerington...
is 2 miles (3.2 km) north of the state line.
See also
- U.S. Route 395 in CaliforniaU.S. Route 395 in CaliforniaIn the U.S. state of California, U.S. Route 395 is a route which traverses from Interstate 15 near the southern city limits of Hesperia, north to the Oregon state line in Modoc County near Goose Lake...
- U.S. Route 395 in NevadaU.S. Route 395 in NevadaIn the U.S. state of Nevada, U.S. Route 395 clips a corner of Nevada near Lake Tahoe and serves the cities of Gardnerville, Minden, Carson City and Reno. Most of US 395 north of Carson City is a freeway and is built up to Interstate standards. Part of the freeway section is also currently...
- Coleville, CaliforniaColeville, CaliforniaColeville is a census-designated place in Mono County, California. It is located in the Antelope Valley on the West Walker River northwest of Bridgeport, at an elevation of 5141 feet . The population was 495 at the 2010 census....
- Topaz, CaliforniaTopaz, CaliforniaTopaz is a census-designated place in Mono County, California. It is located north of Coleville, at an elevation of 5033 feet . Topaz's ZIP Code is 96133. The population was 50 at the 2010 census.-History:...
- Walker, Mono County, CaliforniaWalker, Mono County, CaliforniaWalker is a census-designated place in Mono County, California. It is located south of Coleville, at an elevation of 5403 feet . The ZIP Code is 96107, and mail to Walker should be addressed Coleville...