History of Trinity Lake, California

Trinity Lake was originally named for the late Clair Engle, who was instrumental in the construction of Trinity Dam in 1961 by the U.S. Bureau of Reclamation. The name was changed in 1997 to better reflect the lake's location, say U.S. Forest Service officials.

The lake has a capacity of 2,447,650 acre-feet, making it one of the largest reservoirs in California. The lake's surface is at an elevation of 2370 feet and it is 19 miles long.

Trinity Lake captures and stores water for the Central Valley Project, which provides the Central Valley with water for irrigation and produces hydroelectric power. This lake is known for its many small arms, glassy inlets and great water skiing conditions.

Whether a visitor prefers a recreational vehicle hookup site along the lake's 145 miles of shoreline, or rugged wilderness backpacking, there's every level of outdoor adventure available.