Alpine Lake (Marin County, California)
{{Short description|Reservoir in Marin County, California}}
{{Infobox body of water
| name = Alpine Lake
| image = Alpine Lake 10160.jpg
| caption = the lake in 2013, viewed from Alpine Dam
| image_bathymetry =
| caption_bathymetry =
| location = Marin County, California
| coords = {{Coord|37|56|25|N|122|38|17|W|region:US-CA_type:waterbody_source:gnis|display=inline,title|notes={{Gnis|218169|Alpine Lake}}}}
| type = Reservoir
| inflow =
| outflow = Lagunitas Creek{{Cite web|url=http://www.water.ca.gov/damsafety/docs/Juris(A-G)1.pdf |title=Dams Within the Jurisdiction of the State of California (A-G) |publisher=California Department of Water Resources, Division of Safety of Dams |accessdate=November 1, 2012 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120309153328/http://www.water.ca.gov/damsafety/docs/Juris%28A-G%291.pdf |archive-date=March 9, 2012 }}
| catchment = {{Convert|10.2|sqmi}}
| basin_countries = United States
| length =
| width =
| area = {{Convert|224|acres}}
| depth =
| max-depth =
| volume = {{Convert|8892|acre.ft}}
| residence_time =
| shore =
| elevation = {{Convert|646|ft|m|abbr=on}}
| islands =
| cities =
| pushpin_map = California#USA
| pushpin_label_position =
| pushpin_map_alt = Location of Alpine Lake in California, USA.
| pushpin_map_caption =
| website =
| reference =
}}
Alpine Lake is a reservoir in Marin County, California. Formed by Alpine Dam, it provides water to the Marin Municipal Water District.{{Cite web|url=http://www.marinwater.org/controller?action=menuclick&id=223 |title=MMWD |accessdate=July 25, 2010 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100722115626/http://www.marinwater.org/controller?action=menuclick&id=223 |archive-date=July 22, 2010 }} Below the dam lies Kent Lake.[http://www.topoquest.com/map.asp?lat=37.95507&lon=-122.61316&datum=nad83&u=4&layer=DRG&size=l&s=100 TopoQuest map], USGS, July 5, 2008 Alpine Lake is to the west of Bon Tempe Lake. Fishing is allowed, and Largemouth Bass, Smallmouth Bass, and trout can be caught. Boats and wading are not allowed on the lake.
Alpine Dam
Alpine Dam (national ID number: CA00204) is a gravity dam which was completed in {{start date and age|1917|p=y}}. It is {{Convert|524|ft}} long and {{Convert|143|ft}} high, with {{Convert|8|ft}} of freeboard.
In 1912, the Marin Municipal Water District, serving San Rafael, the Ross Valley and all of southern Marin, was the first municipal water district to be created in California. One of district's first tasks was to build Alpine Dam to provide drinking water for the county's growing population.{{Cite web |last=Gliddon |first=Jessica |date=2019-09-20 |title=A Brief History of the Alpine Dam |url=https://marinmagazine.com/arts-events/things-to-do/alpine-dam/ |access-date=2023-05-12 |website=Marin Magazine |language=en-US}}
The dam was designed with consultation provided by Michael O’Shaughnessy, who was, at the time, a board member of the district. Construction on Alpine started in the summer of 1917, but the outbreak of World War I led to shortages of labor and materials for the contractor.
In January 1918 district took over the building of Alpine Dam and construction was completed a year later. When first built, the reservoir held just over a billion gallons of water, but the dam was raised in 1924 and again in 1941. The reservoir now has a capacity approaching 3 billion gallons and continues to play a vital role in supplying fresh water to thousands of people in the district.
Hiking
Kent Trail along Alpine Lake : A trail that takes place just off the shores of Alpine Lake, up through a redwood forest onto a manzanita-covered ridge with great views.
−Distance: 5.2-mile lollipop loop
−Difficulty: Moderate
−Dogs: Allowed on leash
See also
Notes
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Category:Reservoirs in Marin County, California