Donner Lake

Donner Lake
Donner Lake as seen from McGlashan Point
Location	Nevada County, California, United States
Coordinates	39°19′22″N 120°15′52″W / 39.32278°N 120.26444°W / 39.32278; -120.26444Coordinates: 39°19′22″N 120°15′52″W / 39.32278°N 120.26444°W / 39.32278; -120.26444
Type	moraine-dammed lake
Primary inflows	Summit Creek, Gregory Creek, and many springs
Primary outflows	Donner Creek to Truckee River
Basin countries	United States
Max. length	2.7 mi (4.38 km)
Max. width	0.6 mi (1.0 km)
Surface area	1.31 sq mi (3.40 km²)
Max. depth	238 ft (72.1 m)
Surface elevation	5936 ft (1809 m)
Settlements	Truckee

Donner Lake is a freshwater lake in Northeast California on the eastern slope of the Sierra Nevada and about 11 miles (18 km) northwest of the much larger Lake Tahoe. A moraine serves as a natural dam for the lake. The lake is located in the town of Truckee, between Interstate 80 to the north and Schallenberger Ridge to the south. The tracks of the Union Pacific Railroad run along Schallenberger Ridge and closely follow the route of the original transcontinental railroad. The historic route of the Lincoln Highway, the first automobile road across America and US 40 follows the northern shoreline, then climbs to Donner Pass from where the entire lake may be viewed.

Both the lake and the pass were named after the ill-fated Donner Party, which wintered unintentionally near the lake in 1846. Donner Memorial State Park is on the east end of the lake and provides campsites with access to several different beaches. There are also various hiking trails in the park.

The lake's depth has been measured by the California State Lands Commission to be 238 feet (73 m) deep at its deepest point. The deepest point is the fallen tree, just off the guard rail on the north side. High water level is 5,935.8 feet (1,809.2 m) above Mean Sea Level.

Donner Lake holds some of the biggest Lake Trout in the state. There is also a good population of Rainbow and Brown Trout as well as Kokanee Salmon. Fisherman use downriggers and troll with plugs for Kokanee Salmon and Rainbow Trout in order to catch the trophy sized Lake Trout. During the Spring and Fall season, Lake Trout come to the top to feed and this is the only time of year one has the chance to hook a Laker in shallow water.