Saturday, April 14, 2007

Man Helps Nature Create A Big Fishing Hole


On our trip to northern California earlier this week we drove north on Vasco Road out of Livermore. Just after you crest the hill that drops you down into Contra Costa County, a short drive west off of the highway, on a nicely paved road, leads you to Los Vaqueros reservoir, pictured above.

Note the flag at left that is starched in the horizontal from the strong winds that were blowing. Click on the photo to see a larger image.

Less than 10 years ago there was nothing there but a creek trickling down the brown/green, sparcely-treed hillsides. Then an earthen dam was built at the northern end of Kellogg creek.

Winter rainwater accumulated for about five years, and voila! – you have what you see above, a major body of water.

The original purpose was to provide much needed additional drinking water for the exploding number of new CC County residents. It’s done that plus a whole lot more.

Fish have been planted, buildings were erected, trails were established, and the area now provides an incredible recreation opportunity for all who visit, especially those who live nearby.

The fishing, especially, is incredible. Trout have been caught larger than 10 pounds. Catfish over 20 pounds are not unusual. Largemouth bass push the 10-pound mark.

The surprise, however, has been a 25-lb striped bass caught there by a water district employee. Stripers were never planted there.

Click here to check out the web site describing the beauty that man has wrought, with the help of mother nature, of course.

No comments: