Jack London Lake Restoration and Sedimentation Reduction

Abstract: State Parks in partnership with The Valley of the Moon Natural History Association, California State Parks Foundation and others.  The main project partner, The Valley of the Moon Natural History Association has been involved with this project for many years. The California State Park Foundation has been begun initial fundraising efforts.

Purpose: The goal of this project is to fully restore the historic Jack London Lake as described in the unit’s General Plan. It is a priority to the State to discontinue use of the “side valve and spillway.” The side valve is located too high on the side of the dam, and doesn’t allow water to spill at the level that it should. The resulting high water level is causing additional pressure on the dam that a structure of this age should not experience. Any additional pressure behind the dam should be limited so as to assure dam integrity. The side spillway is also causing lake drainage to incise a deep cut in the hillside, causing unsafe road/trail conditions as well as serious erosion. During winter 2005-06, maintenance of the water level through the original dam valve location was resumed, as it traditionally had been maintained until the mid l980’s when the side valve was installed. Unfortunately, management of the water has been ineffective during this heavy rainfall winter, and massive erosion down the side spillway continues.

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