How do you access French Lake in Nevada County, California?

Access to French Lake requires a high-clearance 4WD or OHV vehicle via Bowman Lake Road (Forest Route 18) branching off Highway 20, continuing onto rugged unpaved forest service tracks (Forest Route 18-29) toward Faucherie Lake and French Lake. Roads are typically snowbound from November through June. Hikers and backpackers also access French Lake via the Grouse Ridge non-motorized trail network and Canyon Creek trail.

How deep is French Lake and what is its water storage capacity?

French Lake reaches a maximum depth of approximately 100 feet (30.5 meters) near the face of French Lake Dam, with an average depth of 42 feet. The reservoir has a gross water storage capacity of approximately 13,840 acre-feet (4.51 billion gallons) across 337 surface acres at full spillway crest.

What fish species inhabit French Lake?

French Lake supports a thriving cold-water fishery populated by wild and stocked Rainbow Trout, Brown Trout, and Brook Trout. Deep underwater granite drop-offs and incoming snowmelt channels along Canyon Creek provide ideal habitat. Anglers find best success casting small spoons, spinners, and dry flies in early summer following ice-out.

Who owns and manages French Lake and French Lake Dam?

French Lake and its dam are owned and operated by the Nevada Irrigation District (NID) as part of its Yuba-Bear Hydroelectric and Water Supply System. Surrounding lands are managed by the U.S. Forest Service (Tahoe National Forest, Yuba River Ranger District), allowing dispersed alpine camping and recreational hiking.

What is the surface area, shoreline length, and elevation of French Lake (English Mountain Quad)?

At normal conservation pool, French Lake (English Mountain Quad) covers approximately 337 surface acres (about 0.5 square miles or 1.4 km²) at an elevation of 6,660 feet above sea level. The shoreline extends for 5.2 miles (8 km) throughout Nevada County, featuring numerous sheltered coves and bays.

Can you boat on French Lake (English Mountain Quad) and where are the public ramps?

Yes, recreational boating is permitted on French Lake (English Mountain Quad). Public boat launch facilities include Primitive Hand-Launch & Packraft Access (French Lake Dam Shoreline). Boaters should prepare self-sufficient craft with adequate fuel and safety equipment. Boaters must adhere to state navigation laws, maintain required life jackets and safety gear, and respect posted no-wake zones near docks, coves, and designated swimming beaches.

Reservoir•California Lakes•Nevada County

French Lake (English Mountain Quad), California: Map, Depth, Size & Information

Comprehensive hydrographic guide to French Lake (English Mountain Quad) featuring verified USGS & USACE water statistics, interactive topographic mapping, shoreline facilities, boating ramps, and game fisheries.

Directions

Surface Area

337 acres

1.4 km²

Max Depth

100 feet

30.5 m

Elevation

6,660 feet

2030 m ASL

Shoreline

5.2 miles

8 km

Coordinates

39.431°, -120.574°

GPS WGS84

Verification

Official Data

2026-10-05

Live Hydrographic & Conditions Telemetry•Station: USGS-70449343

French Lake (English Mountain Quad) Live Water Level Status & Wind Conditions

Reservoir Hydrography

Water Level Status & Capacity

Current Water Elevation

6,660.67 ft

Normal Full Pool: 6,660.00 ft

Normal Conservation Pool

Difference from Full Pool

+0.67 ft(above)

Reservoir Waterline & Storage Capacity96.7% of Conservation Pool

25%

50%

75%

100% Full

Full Pool: 6,660.00 ft

24h Change: -0.06 ft / 24hEst. Volume: 13,687 acre-ft

Inflow Rate

326 cfs

River tributaries

Dam Outflow

290 cfs

Hydro & spillway

Water Temp

65°F

Surface layer

Water Clarity

7.7 ft

Secchi disc depth

Hydrologic balance: Current net flow is +36 cfs (Gaining volume). Water level is falling at 0.06 ft per day.

Atmospheric & Surface

Live Wind & Wave Simulator

Good Boating Conditions

Nautical Wind Compass Rose

NESW

SE 130°

13 mph

Gusts: 28 mph

Blowing from SE (130°) at 13 mph

Surface Wave Conditions1.5 ft wave height

Light Chop (0.5 - 1.0 ft)

Moderate Surface Ripple

Barometer

30.13 inHg

Steady pressure

Solunar Bite

Slow Bite

High game fish bite

Hourly Forecast Timeline Scrubber:12 PM • 13 mph SE

Calculate Water Level & Volume ChangesModel acre-feet storage loss, shoreline recession, and drought reserve projections for French Lake (English Mountain Quad).

Open Calculator

Interactive Map of French Lake (English Mountain Quad)

Scroll/pinch to zoom • Toggle Topo layers

39.4308° N, 120.5736° W|Get Directions

Interactive map for French Lake (English Mountain Quad) located at GPS Coordinates: 39.4308, -120.5736 in Nevada County, California. Elevation: 6660 ft above sea level.

Open in Google Maps

Centroid Coordinates: 39.4308° N, -120.5736° WOpen Directions in Maps

Where is French Lake (English Mountain Quad)?

French Lake (English Mountain Quad) is located in Nevada County in the state of California, at geographical coordinates 39.4308° North latitude and 120.5736° West longitude. The water body lies at a surface elevation of approximately 6,660 feet (2030 meters) above mean sea level.

Nearby Cities & Distances

Nevada City

38 miles away

Grass Valley

42 miles away

Truckee

32 miles away

Sacramento

98 miles away

About French Lake (English Mountain Quad)

French Lake is a historic high-elevation Sierra Nevada reservoir situated at 6,660 feet within the Tahoe National Forest on the USGS English Mountain 7.5-minute topographic quadrangle in Nevada County, California. Originally impounded in 1859 by the Milton Mining and Water Company for historic hydraulic gold mining in the South Yuba watershed, French Lake is impounded by the 100-foot-tall rockfill French Lake Dam across Canyon Creek. Today owned and managed by the Nevada Irrigation District (NID), this remote alpine jewel is framed by granite domes, lodgepole and red fir forests, and the towering 8,373-foot summit of English Mountain, offering an exceptional cold-water trout fishery, dispersed backcountry camping, and rugged 4WD/OHV trail access.

Hydrographic Classification:

French Lake (English Mountain Quad) is categorized as a High Alpine Impoundment Reservoir (Canyon Creek Basin). Its designated primary authorized uses include Water Storage & Supply (Nevada Irrigation District), Hydroelectric Generation Support, Cold-Water Alpine Fishery, Wilderness Backpacking & High Sierra Recreation.

Activities & Recreation

Sport Fishing

French Lake (English Mountain Quad) is known for its resident game fish species. Common targets include:

Rainbow TroutBrown TroutBrook Trout

Boating & Watersports

Popular watercraft activities permitted across regulated channels:

Wilderness Trout FishingBackcountry CampingHigh-Clearance 4WD & OHV ExplorationAlpine Hiking & Summit Scrambling (English Mountain)Kayaking & PackraftingWildlife Photography

Boat Ramps, Marinas & Public Parks

Marinas (0)

Self-service shoreline access; nearest private marinas in adjacent county harbors.

Public Boat Launches (1)

•Primitive Hand-Launch & Packraft Access (French Lake Dam Shoreline)

Parks & Recreation (4)

•Tahoe National Forest (Yuba River Ranger District)
•Grouse Ridge Non-Motorized Area (adjacent)
•Bowman Lake Recreation Area
•English Mountain Trail & Lookout

Boating Safety, Wake Zones & Aquatic Regulations

• Speed & Wake Buffer Zones:

A mandatory 100-to-200-foot no-wake zone is enforced around all public boat launches, designated swimming areas, private docks, and moored vessels. Vessel operators must maintain idle speed in narrow coves and bridge passes.

• Safety Gear & AIS Protocol:

Coast Guard-approved Type I, II, or III PFDs are required for all vessel occupants. To prevent aquatic invasive species (quagga mussels, hydrilla), boaters must adhere to Clean, Drain, and Dry inspection procedures prior to launching.

Seasonal Fishing Patterns for French Lake (English Mountain Quad)

Spring (March – May)Pre-Spawn & Spawn

Game fish move into sheltered secondary coves, shallow flats (4–12 ft depth), and creek mouths as surface temperatures climb into the 50s and 60s. Target submerged timber, riprap, and emerging vegetation with spinnerbaits, suspending jerkbaits, and soft plastics.

Summer (June – August)Thermocline & Main Basin

Predators retreat to deep underwater humps, main river channel ledges, and thermocline layers (20–45 ft). Peak activity shifts to dawn, dusk, and night trolling. Use deep-diving crankbaits, spoons, drop-shots, and downrigger spreads.

Autumn (Sept – November)Fall Turnover & Feeding Blitz

Cooling weather triggers lake turnover and intense schooling feeding. Bass, trout, and walleye push baitfish into primary points and pocket coves. Fast-moving topwater plugs, lipless crankbaits, and swimbaits produce explosive strikes.

Winter (Dec – February)Deep Suspension & Ice

Fish consolidate around deep wintering holes (40–80+ ft) or under safe solid ice on northern waterways. Slow finesse presentations—vertical jigging spoons, blade baits, and live bait rigs—dominate the cold-water season.

French Lake (English Mountain Quad) Statistics & Hydrography

Measurement	Imperial Value	Metric Equivalent
Surface Area	337 acres	1.4 km²
Maximum Depth	100 feet	30.5 meters
Average Depth	42 feet	12.8 meters
Water Surface Elevation	6,660 feet above sea level	2030 meters
Shoreline Length	5.2 miles	8 km
Lake Classification	Reservoir (High Alpine Impoundment Reservoir (Canyon Creek Basin))
GPS Coordinates	39.4308° N, 120.5736° W

Frequently Asked Questions about French Lake (English Mountain Quad)

7 verified answers

French Lake is located at 6,660 feet elevation in the high Sierra Nevada of Nevada County, California, within the Tahoe National Forest. The English Mountain Quadrangle refers to the official USGS 7.5-minute topographic survey map (English Mountain, CA) that charts French Lake, French Lake Dam, Canyon Creek, and the prominent 8,373-foot summit of English Mountain directly north of the reservoir.