Millerton Lake

https://www.parks.ca.gov/?page_id=587 https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Millerton_Lake Millerton Lake is an artificial lake near the town of Friant about 15 mi (24 km) north of downtown Fresno. The reservoir was created by the construction of Friant Dam on the San Joaquin River which, with the lake, serves as much of the county line between Fresno County to the south and Madera County to the north. The lake stores water for irrigation, which is distributed by the Madera and Friant-Kern Canals to the San Joaquin Valley.

Our Mission Millerton Lake State Recreation Area The mission of California State Parks is to provide for the health, inspiration and education of the people of California by helping to preserve the state’s extraordinary biological diversity, protecting its most valued natural and cultural resources, and creating opportunities for high-quality outdoor recreation. Millerton Lake State Recreation Area lies in the center of California’s heartland, covering California State Parks supports equal access. Prior to arrival, visitors with disabilities who need assistance should contact the park at (559) 822-2332. This publication can be made available in alternate formats. Contact interp@parks.ca.gov or (916) 654-2249. CALIFORNIA STATE PARKS P.O. Box 942896 Sacramento, CA 94296-0001 For information call: (800) 777-0369. (916) 653-6995, outside the U.S. 711, TTY relay service www.parks.ca.gov Discover the many states of California.™ Millerton Lake State Recreation Area 5290 Millerton Road Friant, CA 93626 (559) 822-2332 © 2002 California State Parks (Rev. 2014) an area rich in historic importance. M deer, quail and other game. The Yokuts were especially skilled at fishing for salmon, which they dried and stored for winter use. The lives of the Yokuts were altered by the intrusion of settlers who brought diseases to which they had no immunity, depleted their food sources, and caused them to be displaced from their villages. Conflicts with the new arrivals ultimately led to the Mariposa Indian War, which ended in 1851 with the signing of a peace treaty at the U.S. military encampment known as Camp Barbour. An envoy had negotiated treaties PARK HISTORY with several California Indian groups, but For thousands of years, several groups of Congress failed to ratify the treaties. Northern Foothill Yokuts lived in the rolling Camp Barbour, now beneath the lake’s grasslands and woodlands of the region. surface, was built in 1850. A tent city called The women crafted beautiful Rootville, baskets used for both utilitarian later changed and ceremonial purposes. The to Millerton, men harvested acorns and hunted sprang up and quickly prospered. It served as the Fresno County seat from 1856 Millerton Courthouse in the spring to 1874. The area’s only courthouse was built in 1867. In 1941 the courthouse was dismantled and reconstructed on its present site at Mariner’s Point to protect it from rising floodwaters. The courthouse has been restored to look much as it did more than a century ago. Today the U.S. Department of the Interior’s Bureau of Reclamation maintains Friant Dam as part of the federal Central illerton Lake State Recreation Area is located in the heart of California, near the southernmost end of the Mother Lode gold region. Here, where the San Joaquin River flows out of the Sierra Nevada foothills and into the Central Valley, the 319-foottall Friant Dam was built across the river canyon in 1944 to form Millerton Lake. One of the most popular recreation areas in the San Joaquin Valley, the lake’s 47 miles of shoreline are a magnet for families seeking high-quality recreational opportunities. Valley Project to manage water for flood control, drinking water and irrigation. California State Parks has an operating agreement with the Bureau of Reclamation for the management of Millerton Lake. WILDLIFE Millerton Lake has the largest population of wintering bald eagles in the San Joaquin Valley, most having migrated more than 1,600 miles from summer breeding grounds in Canada. The San Joaquin drainage and other nearby lakes have several year-round nesting bald eagle pairs, sometimes spotted in the summer. Other wildlife-watching opportunities include resident golden eagles, waterfowl, and both indigenous and migratory bird species that travel to and from the higher portions of the Sierra Nevada. Larger mammals such as deer, bobcats, coyotes and mountain lions inhabit the area. Smaller animals include foxes, badgers, skunks, raccoons, opossums, cottontail rabbits and ground squirrels. PLANT COMMUNITIES The first fall rains turn the hills green, and wildflowers reach their peak in April. During the summer, stately blue oak and live oak trees dot the dry brown hills. Up the river canyon, oaks and gray pine combine with manzanita, ceanothus and other chaparral to form a denser forest. Vernal pools above the upper river canyon provide a vital habitat for the short life cycles of frogs, toads, tiny fairy shrimp, prehistoric-looking tadpole shrimp, and specially adapted plants. RECREATIONAL OPPORTUNITIES Summer temperatures can pass 100 degrees, so hikers should always carry drinking water. October brings a pleasant 50 to 80 degrees. In the spring, when sailing regattas and water skiers start to fill the lake, temperatures range from 40 to 65 degrees. Picnicking – Picnic areas with barbecue grills and restrooms surround the lake. Groups of up to 100 may choose to reserve one of two Grange Grove picnic areas. South Finegold

Millerton Lake State Recreation Area Millerton Lake SRA • 5290 Millerton Road • Friant, CA 93626 • (559) 822-2332 North Shore Campground • 47597 Road 145 • Friant, CA 93626 • (559) 822-2225 With 47 miles of shoreline for water sports, this SRA offers visitors swimming, fishing, and boating. During winter, the park has special boat tours to view the bald eagles. The park’s camping facilities include boat camping. OCCUPANCY: Eight people are allowed per family campsite. VEHICLE PARKING: Campsites are designed to accommodate no more than three vehicles. Additional vehicles must be parked in the overflow parking lot. Day users may not park in any campsite. Call for information on the extra vehicle charge. VEHICLE RULES: Vehicles must stay on roads or trails. (This prevents damage to tree roots and plant life.) TRAILERS: No water or effluent may be discharged onto the ground. Please use appropriate RV sanitation stations. CHECK-OUT TIME: Check-out time is noon. Please vacate your site by that time. Check-in time is 2 p.m. NOISE: Radios, voices and other soundproducing devices must not be audible beyond your immediate campsite, regardless of the time of day or night. Generators or other devices are not to be operated between the hours of 8 p.m. and 10 a.m. DOGS: Dogs must be kept on a leash no longer than six feet and under control at all times. They must be confined to a vehicle or tent from 10 p.m. to 6 a.m. Please clean up after your pets. FIRES AND FIREWOOD: Fires are allowed only in established fire rings or camp stoves. Do not build ground fires outside the fire rings or leave campfires unattended. Do not gather firewood in the park — the nutrients must be allowed to recycle back into the ecosystem. BOATING: All watercraft entering the park must complete a self-inspection for invasive species. No 2-stroke engine shall operate on the water unless it meets current emissions rating of 2 stars. Mooring to or coming in contact with any buoy or buoyline is strictly prohibited. SWIMMING: Diving is not allowed within the California State Park system. QUIET HOURS: Quiet hours are from 10 p.m. to 8 a.m. To ensure an enjoyable experience for everyone, please do not disturb other campers, regardless of the time of day or night. ALCOHOL CONSUMPTION is prohibited on the beaches. Operating a boat under the influence of alcohol or drugs is against the law. THEFT WARNING: Keep your vehicles locked and your valuables out of sight. Do not leave property out at night. Report suspicious activity to a ranger or camp host. CAMPING RESERVATIONS: You may make camping reservations by calling (800) 444-7275 (TTY 800-274-7275). To make online reservations, visit our website at www.parks.ca.gov. ALTERNATE FORMAT: If you need this publication in an alternate format, contact interp@parks.ca.gov. PLEASE REMEMBER: • Look out for rattlesnakes, mountain, lions and poison oak. • Lifeguards are on duty only during summer. The law requires that children wear approved life jackets. Poison oak Rattlesnake Millerton Lake State Recreation Area Your Site # __________ Gate closed after day-use hours (CODE REQUIRED) Hillis Beach a Tr il Large Group Campfire Center Buzzards Roost Hiking Trail Small Group 82 79 41 40 75 38 39 42 36 74 il a r 71 37 43 T 35 32 re 31 44 70 34 33 46 45 73 72 68 21 1 48 69 66 27 47 30 29 28 64 49 67 20 50 62 65 63 51 2 17 18 19 22 26 61 58 23 16 54 25 52 53 60 55 56 15 Mono 24 3 57 4 14 12 11 59 5 9 13 10 Rocky 8 Poin t 6 7 76 81 80 Day-Use Area 84 77 Natu Entrance Station e tiul M Max 21’ Camper/Trailer = Max 31’ Camper/Trailer = Unmarked Sites = 36’ Camper/Trailer Pu rp os North Shore Campground 83 Dumna Strands 78 Fort Miller Day-Use Area Du mna Cove 85 86 LEGEND ke Accessible Feature Boat Launch Ramp L a Campfire Center Camp Host Campground Chemical Toilet Group Campsite Horse Camp Mill n o t er Locked Gate Parking Restrooms RV Sanitation Station Showers Valley Oak For Emergencies Dial, 911. 95 96 Meadows Sunset Point Day-Use Area Millerton Lake Marina Located in Winchell Cove (559) 822-2264 94 87 93 92 97 99 100 101 102 103 104 106 105 107 108 109 111 110 112 113 114 115 116 91 98 148 147 132 133 131 134 130 135 129 136 128 Hookup 127 137 138 sites 126 139 117-144 125 124 140 123 141 122 142 121 143 120 144 146 145 119 118 117 88 90 89 Meadows Cove Day Use Map not to scale © 2007 California State Parks (Rev. 2016)