i. Discover how the USACE Sacramento District enhances quality of life by offering diverse recreational opportunities at our lakes and rivers, visit https://www.spk.usace.army.mil/Missions/Recreation/.
ii. The Sacramento District manages 10 water resource projects that provide vibrant recreation areas for the community, offering activities like camping, boating, hiking, and birdwatching. These sites across California’s scenic landscapes contribute to residents’ quality of life, promoting outdoor engagement and wellness for individuals and families alike.
iii. Black Butte Lake, formed with the completion of Black Butte Dam in 1963, serves as a valuable recreational asset and a critical resource for flood risk management and irrigation. Located on Stony Creek west of Orland in the Sacramento Valley, the lake spans 4,460 acres with a shoreline stretching 40 miles when at capacity. Black Butte Dam plays an essential role in reducing flood risk for nearby communities and provides vital irrigation water to sustain downstream agricultural lands, supporting both local safety and the regional economy.
iv. H.V. Eastman Lake, nestled in the foothills of the Sierra Nevada Mountains, about an hour north of Fresno, is a year-round destination offering both functionality and beauty. Created in 1976 with the completion of Buchanan Dam, a 205-foot high, 1,800-foot-long earth and rockfill structure. The lake spans 1,780 acres and holds up to 150,000 acre-feet of water. Managed by the Sacramento District, H.V. Eastman Lake serves as a crucial resource for flood control, irrigation, recreation, and wildlife management, providing a family-friendly park that supports both the community’s safety and its outdoor enjoyment.
v. Englebright Lake, set in the picturesque Sierra foothills along Highway 20 between Marysville and Grass Valley, is a unique and historic reservoir with a critical role. Constructed to contain hydraulic gold mining debris, Englebright Dam is a formidable concrete arch structure, spanning 1,142 feet and standing 260 feet high within the steep Yuba River gorge known as the Narrows. This 9-mile-long lake covers 815 acres and offers an exclusive boat-in camping experience, making it both a scenic and significant destination for recreation and environmental stewardship.
vi. Located in the oak woodlands of the Sierra Nevada foothills, just 40 miles north of Fresno, Hensley Lake and Hidden Dam play a vital role in flood control, irrigation, and recreation for the region. Authorized by the Flood Control Act of 1962 and managed by the Sacramento District, Hensley Lake offers flood protection to over 145,000 acres, including Madera and surrounding agricultural areas, with a storage capacity of 90,000 acre-feet. The lake also supplies 25,000 to 50,000 acre-feet of irrigation water annually. Visitors enjoy a variety of recreational activities, from boating and fishing to scenic hiking and bird watching. Hidden View campground, with 55 campsites, completes this versatile project, providing valuable flood risk management, resource conservation, and abundant outdoor opportunities for the community.
vii. Lake Kaweah, created by Terminus Dam on the Kaweah River in 1962, plays a vital role in flood reduction and agricultural water conservation for California’s south-central valley. Enhanced with 21-foot-tall fuse gates, the largest in the nation, the dam adds 43,000 acre-feet of storage, allowing the lake to hold up to 185,630 acre-feet during spring runoff. The hydroelectric Terminus Power Plant produces an annual average of 40 million kilowatt-hours, supporting clean energy. Located just outside Sequoia National Park, Lake Kaweah offers visitors boating, wildlife viewing, and summer campfire programs, with resources available at the Lemon Hill Recreation Area Visitor Center.
viii. Nestled in the Sierra Nevada Mountains near Lake Tahoe, Martis Creek Lake was created with the completion of Martis Creek Dam in 1972, a 113-foot-high, 2,670-foot-long structure holding up to 20,400 acre-feet of water. Currently maintained at a minimum pool covering 70 acres, the lake, operated by the Sacramento District, provides essential flood protection while offering recreational opportunities. Its scenic campground offers quiet, shaded sites close to the abundant summer activities in the Lake Tahoe-Truckee area, making it a popular destination for outdoor enthusiasts.
ix. Located in the oak-dotted foothills of the Sierra Nevada, New Hogan Lake was created in 1964 with the completion of New Hogan Dam. Spanning 4,333 water acres and 6,342 land acres, the lake offers 50 miles of shoreline and stretches nearly eight miles upstream. Operated by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, New Hogan Dam provides crucial flood protection for Stockton and supplies water for irrigation, drinking, and hydroelectric power, making it an essential resource for both community safety and regional sustainability.
x. Pine Flat Lake, created by the 429-foot-tall Pine Flat Dam on the Kings River, draws hundreds of thousands of visitors annually for its scenic recreation opportunities. Authorized by the Flood Control Act of 1944, the dam was completed in 1954 and stretches 20 miles with 67 miles of shoreline, holding up to 1,000,000 acre-feet of water at maximum capacity. Beyond recreation, Pine Flat Lake provides vital flood control and irrigation to the San Joaquin Valley, with the addition of the Jeff L. Taylor hydroelectric power plant in 1984, further contributing to the region’s energy resources.
xi. Stanislaus River Parks play a significant role in the Sacramento District's mission to enhance community access to natural resources while supporting local tourism and outdoor recreation. Developed following the completion of New Melones Dam, these parks offer opportunities for white-water rafting, canoeing, hiking, and camping along the scenic Stanislaus River. This site not only contributes to regional recreation but also reinforces the District’s commitment to responsible water resource management and environmental stewardship.
xii. Authorized by the Flood Control Act of 1944, the Richard L. Schafer Dam and Success Lake project provides essential flood control and water supply to Tulare County while also generating hydropower. Completed in 1961, the 142-foot-high, 3,490-foot-long earth-filled dam spans the Tule River, creating a lake that, when full, holds 84,095 acre-feet of water over a surface area of 2,450 acres. Managed by the Sacramento District, Success Lake also serves as a valuable habitat for wildlife and a popular recreation spot, offering scenic views in the foothills of the Sierra Nevada, just eight miles east of Porterville.