Lake Kaweah

About Lake Kaweah

Lake Kaweah, located in the Sierra Nevada Mountains of California, north of Sequoia National Park, is one of the largest lakes in California and the second largest lake in North America after Lake Tahoe.

The lake is surrounded by a reservoir built around the Kaweah River's Terminus Dam, and its size allows water to be stored up to a flood that could occur once every 75 years. Typical is that the lake is rarely full, as there are periods during the spring damming in mid to July when the water incoming is slowed down to a trickle. During the summer months, the water level drops as water is taken for irrigation.

In early summer, Lake Kaweah is a popular spot for boating and fishing, and the marina concession offers a jetty, depending on the season annually. An unconscious observer can be seen from the shore of the lake in late summer and early autumn, as well as in winter.

Here you can rent various boats, including pontoons, fishing boats, water bicycles, etc. Pontoon rentals are so popular that reservations are required, but they are available for $5 per day or $10 per week.

Small houseboats, canoes and kayaks can be enjoyed on the lake, as well as in the marina, which is also sold out. Water sports enthusiasts enjoy sailing, wakeboarding, windsurfing, tubing and flyboarding. Jet skis and water skiers can also enjoy its range when it is at its peak, such as in the summer months.

At lower water levels, boaters should stay in deeper waters, looking for exposed rocks and stay away from deep water. There are no designated bathing areas, but swimming is allowed, but prohibited, except in designated areas.

Kaweah Lake is a preferred destination for perch, but special restrictions apply to perch in Kaweah Lake, with tournaments receiving exceptions. Overrun by white bass, a project by California Fish and Wildlife has wiped out the white bass and reintroduced the remarkably recovered wide-angle bass.

The campsites on Lake Kaweah provide temporary accommodation for up to 80 campers, but special rules for fishing and boating should always be followed. A California fishing license is required, and the lake also has special fishing regulations for trout, perch, white perch and other species. The 10 - 12 inch rainbow trout are loaded to lure the trout fishermen into the calm, cool water like a magnet.

The non-electric pitches are operated by the US Army Corps of Engineers and include designated sites for camping, fishing, boating, hiking and other recreational activities.

The beautiful view is free of charge and mobile homes, landfills and drinking water are available, and fishing and boat moorings are available. During the flood season, reservations are limited and the campsite is not accessible. The campsites have a variety of amenities such as picnic tables, showers, toilets, water, fireplace, picnic areas and toilets.

Other picnic areas are located in the visitor centre, at the ranger station and in the main parking lot of the park. The campsite has an educational trail and many hiking trails around the visitor centre and ranger stations, as well as a picnic area with picnic tables.

The cobbled day-use area also features a multi-purpose trail for hiking and cycling, and all three have boat ramps. All campsites have an extra charge and access to the areas used daily is possible for a small fee. Season tickets can be purchased for each location of the Corps and each campsite has its own parking lot, picnic area and boat ramp at an additional cost.

Many vacationers enjoy visiting various parts of Sequoia National Park during the day, and Lake Kaweah is one of them. The entrance to the park's Big Trees is located at the northern end of the park, south of Lake Park Road. Normally you can get the electrical equipment for a good night's sleep, which I don't like, but for those who do it is a great option.

Kaweah Lake is a nice place to enjoy the water on a hot summer day, and white water rafting is possible on the Kaweah River. The area around the three rivers is bounded by the San Joaquin River, the Sacramento River and the Santa Cruz River to the north and the San Luis Obispo River to the south.

The lake and the dam that forms it offer several valuable services to the inhabitants downstream. The reservoir supplies water to many citrus groves in the Central Valley, and several communities, including Visalia, use it for irrigation and water supply. Originally built in 1962 for flood protection, it was converted to hydropower in 1992.

The storage capacity has been expanded to cope with the pressures of the record 75-year-old flood and the potential for future flooding.

A new type of water escape system called Fusegate has been installed as a cost-saving measure. Storing spring melt and flood water will save people downstream hundreds of millions of dollars in costs. The dam and three other waterways have led to the loss of historic wetlands in Tulare Lake. There were also environmental compromises that led to the water of the Kaweah River receding.

As a result, the lake is still very low at the moment and water levels are at their lowest level in more than 30 years. The perches are still there, but the campsites are high and dry, and there are no water levels.

Lake Kaweah is a popular stopover on the way to Sequoia National Park in California, USA, where you can stop for a day or two at one of the campsites. As the statistics show, it refers to the water level of the lake at the end of June and the beginning of July. The normal water level is 2,000 cubic meters per second, or about 1,500 cubic feet per minute.