Lake Aloha

Lake Aloha
Lake Aloha,Desolation Wilderness;general view, taken August 2008
Lake Aloha Lake Aloha
Location	Sierra Nevada Range El Dorado County, California,U.S.
Coordinates	38°52′1.74″N120°8′56.56″W
Type	Reservoir
Basincountries	United States
Surface elevation	8,116 ft (2,474 m)
Settlements	South Lake Tahoe

Lake Alohais a large shallowbackcountryreservoirlocated at an elevation of 8,116 ft (2,474 m) in theSierra Nevada Range,west ofLake TahoeinEl Dorado County,in eastern California.

The reservoir is located in Desolation Valley, within the federally protectedDesolation Wildernessarea. The shortest and easiest approach is fromEcho Lakeby thePacific Crest Trail.Alternately, it can be reached by theGlen Alpine Springs Trailhead,near the city ofSouth Lake Tahoe.There is a moderate gain in elevation as you head west. From the south, Lake Aloha can be reached by theRalston PeakTrail or cross country through Horsetail Falls and Desolation Valley. To reach the base of Price andPyramid Peaks,in theCrystal Rangeof the Sierra Nevada, you have to traverse the Lake Aloha area.

The primary outflow from Lake Aloha is Pyramid Creek, which flows south for roughly four miles before it empties into theSouth Fork American RivernearTwin Bridges.

Pyramid Creek was first dammed to create Lake Aloha in 1875, creating a year-round water source for grazing cattle and inundating a collection of natural lakes known as the Medley Lakes. The dam was later raised, and several auxiliary dams were constructed up to 1955.

Lake Aloha in Desolation Valley, in theDesolation Wilderness Area.

See also

• List of dams and reservoirs in California
• List of lakes in California

References

• Lake Tahoe Basin Mgmt Unit

External links

• Media related toLake Alohaat Wikimedia Commons