California is home to some of the most beautiful lakes in the country, with gorgeous views and endless recreational opportunities. However, beneath their peaceful surfaces live a variety of snake species, earning several of these bodies of water a reputation for their snake populations.
Snakes can be a source of anxiety for tourists visiting the sun-soaked shores of Lake Tahoe and the warm waters of the Mojave Desert’s lakes. Whether you’re an experienced adventurer or a curious traveler, knowing where to step carefully is critical.
In this post, we’ll look at the most snake-infested lakes in California, highlighting the many sorts of snakes to expect and providing recommendations for safely enjoying these lovely aquatic locales. Prepare for a wild encounter!
1. Lake Tahoe
Lake Tahoe is one of the largest high-altitude lakes in the United States, with a depth of 6,229 feet (second only to Oregon’s Crater Lake). Along with its vastness, Lake Tahoe is renowned for its crystal clear waters and breathtaking panoramic views of the Sierra Nevada mountain range.
While neighboring Nevada shares part of the action, the majority of its coastline is in northeastern California. While summer tourists bring a lot of excitement to this 191-square-mile beauty, serpents can still find undisturbed areas to swim in. Rattlesnakes (Great Basin and Western Diamondback) are two notable venomous species to be aware of.
However, they do not normally act aggressively in the water. The common water snake and garter snake are two non-threatening slitherers that visitors can expect to see in and around the lake.
2. Machado Lake
Machado Lake is a 31-acre urban pond that was originally planned for flood management and irrigation in the greater Los Angeles area. This little man-made structure is located in Ken Malloy Harbor Regional Park, in South Los Angeles’ Harbor City area, near to Los Angeles Harbor College.
Recently, in 2017, the Machado Lake Ecosystem Rehabilitation Project was finished. This much-needed restoration project removed silt from the lake’s bottom, installed trash removal systems, and eradicated many other contaminants while also oxygenating the water (which helped remove algal blooms and increased habitat viability).
Machado Lake is now a healthier environment not only for humans but also for the Southern water snakes that have found their way into this community swimming hole, most likely as multi-generational offspring of former pets who were released illegally.
3. Bear Gulch Reservoir
Bear Gulch Reservoir, located in Central California, is another manmade paradise. Bear Gulch Reservoir, not to be confused with the small, circular drinking hole in Atherton, is located in Pinnacles National Park. Surrounded by the inspiring spired rock formation, the narrow, bendy, almost snake-shaped body of water is part of an ecosystem that includes 14 known snake species (including the garter snake, gopher snake, and Western rattlesnake), as well as a variety of other interesting reptiles, including the threatened red-legged frog.
The Moses Spring route, which is one mile long, leads to this pleasant place. Consider packing a light lunch or heading out late in the day to catch a stunning sunset. Remember to bring headlamps for the return journey and be cautious of your steps.
4. Folsom Lake
Folsom Lake State Recreation Area, located 25 miles east of Sacramento in the foothills of the Sierra Nevada range, provides a fast escape to nature for California city dwellers. The park’s centerpiece, the eponymous lake, is popular with boaters, water skiers, and anglers alike.
This location is abundant with trout, catfish, largemouth/smallmouth bass, and perch, but Southern water snakes and rattlesnakes also live within the reservoir’s waters. When the waterline is low and debris is abundant, these semi-aquatic species can move closer to the surface, however during high water seasons, more snakes can be seen along the surrounding trails. Folsom Lake combines the North Fork American River, the South Fork American River, and the American River, which flows south to our final entry.
5. Lake Natoma
Lake Natoma is only a few miles downstream from Folsom Lake. Its slender, four-mile-long, snake-shaped body presses up against the Mississippi Bar nature preserve, with the Sacramento State Aquatic Center at its southern tip and the Folsom Powerhouse State Historic Park (which enshrines what was once called “the greatest operative electrical plant on the American continent”) at its northern tip.
Natoma is another water sports hotspot, this time focusing on crew racing, sailing, and leisure paddling thanks to its enforced 5-mph speed limit. The invasive Southern water snake makes its way into these areas as well, feeding on the local fish and amphibians while being protected by the restriction on motor boats.
Final Words
Finally, while California’s gorgeous lakes are ideal for outdoor activities, they also provide habitat for a variety of snake species, including the Southern water snake and rattlesnakes. Visitors can enjoy the natural beauty of these water places safely if they stay aware and take care.