25 replies to this topic

[zook]

I know they regulate flow at chili bar on the south fork of the american river. Not sure if and where they might regulate it on the north fork.

[4thgenFolsomite]

its not regulated on the north fork, but there is a release from the Drum-Spaulding system up on that branch of Folsom  Lake.  It is regulated, but also serves as an irrigation ditch, so its fairly constant.

 

Folsom Dam is also probably regulated to accommodate power production down at Nimbus Dam.  Nimbus is a reregulating dam, with Lake Natoma as the reservoir.  Lake Natoma definitely fluctuates daily.

[tony]

Why does the inflow vary so much by hour ?  one would think it would be fixed to diminishing unless there are upstream dams that vary in their outflow... Or is this just a variation based on the method of measurement ?

It's based on releases from the upstream dams on all three forks of the American (but apparently, primarily the Middle and South Forks, on which SMUD, PG&E, EID, Placer County Water have a bunch of dams), which vary both for power generation purposes and for rafting (high flows in the morning, tapering off in the afternoon). The key dams are Chili Bar Dam on the South Fork, North Fork Dam (Lake Clementine) on the North Fork, and Afterbay Dam (Oxbow Lake) on the Middle Fork -- the lowest ones above Folsom lake.

 

https://usage.smud.org/UARP/sitetag/Stream/4?_ga=1.206616532.639212695.1439845084 

[JMB83]

Not one media story about the old gold mining town re-emerging from the depths of Folsom Lake!  It's back to being a ghost town out there... where are the crowds?    

 

 

[folsom500]

Not one media story about the old gold mining town re-emerging from the depths of Folsom Lake!  It's back to being a ghost town out there... where are the crowds?  

 

 

Where might one see that old town ?  I will likely be hiking/ walking parts of the lake (bed )  tomorrow and next week again.

[JMB83]

Where might one see that old town ?  I will likely be hiking/ walking parts of the lake (bed )  tomorrow and next week again.

Either park at Sophia Parkway at Green Valley (free) and walk towards the lake... following the lake bed for a couple miles around the bend (other stuff to look for on your way there).  Or park at Browns Ravine ($10?), park at the big parking lot at the end and hike towards Folsom along the shore... maybe a half mile.  I'd load a photo but it says I can only load a 26k pic. 

[ducky]

Is it dry enough to walk out there or will it suck your shoes off?

 

Makes sense it is showing.  The lake is at the same level it was in December last year.

[folsom500]

Either park at Sophia Parkway at Green Valley (free) and walk towards the lake... following the lake bed for a couple miles around the bend (other stuff to look for on your way there).  Or park at Browns Ravine ($10?), park at the big parking lot at the end and hike towards Folsom along the shore... maybe a half mile.  I'd load a photo but it says I can only load a 26k pic. 

I did not get out yesterday but will be next week to this location but  I am very familiar with it, but not seeing the artifacts of the old town.  

Going from the Browns Ravine end,  It would be best to park on Miller which is opposite the Brown's Ravine Entrance .   Entering the park head to the left just inside to the lower trail and the shore line. 

[caligirlz]

Either park at Sophia Parkway at Green Valley (free) and walk towards the lake... following the lake bed for a couple miles around the bend (other stuff to look for on your way there).  Or park at Browns Ravine ($10?), park at the big parking lot at the end and hike towards Folsom along the shore... maybe a half mile. 

So, the Morman Island ruins are between Sophia Parkway & Brown's Ravine, and other interesting things are found going left from Sophia Parkway entrance towards the lake? I'm heading out their tomorrow so I want to make sure I'm going to right way. Thanks.

 

I found this old discussion. It looks like I would actually go right from the Sophia Pkwy trail. Correct?

Its an easy walk from the Mormon Island Dam parking area (at the intersection of Green Valley and Sophia Pkwy). Cross over the dike and drop into the lake bottom (now dry) keeping the high water mark to your right. Walk about half a mile, and as you crest the next hill, the rock foundations will be ahead of you near the water line.

http://www.tomatopag... morman island

 

[folsom500]

So, the Morman Island ruins are between Sophia Parkway & Brown's Ravine, and other interesting things are found going left from Sophia Parkway entrance towards the lake? I'm heading out their tomorrow so I want to make sure I'm going to right way. Thanks.

 

I found this old discussion. It looks like I would actually go right from the Sophia Pkwy trail. Correct?

Right--  Left from Miller Rd ( Brown's Ravine ) and Right from Sophia.    I went out yesterday from Brown's Ravine and saw the foundations  but did not walk all the way to the Sophia end.      I was amazed how much further the lake is down since my last walk there on August 11.

I will post a few pictures later.

[caligirlz]

I was there yesterday. We started from Sophia Pkwy & walked straight out to the water following what appeared to be an old road. Saw some old foundations & some other things like old nails. We walked out to the the piles of mine tailings, and then walked towards Brown's Ravine along the water's edge. Looking across the lake, there was another island, and it looked like there was some type of foundations out there, maybe a earthern bridge. We wanted to check it out but it was too far away & dusk was approaching. 

 

I agree, lake is much lower than a month ago. And no, the ground was very hard even near the lake.