Byway Main Page

Byway Sites (Traveling South to North)

  1. Topaz Lake
  2. Walker River
  3. Bridgeport
  4. Conway Summit
  5. Virginia Creek
  6. Mono Lake
  7. Mono Craters
  8. June Lake
  9. Crestview
  10. Mammoth Lakes
  11. Crowley Lake
  12. Sherwin Grade
  13. Round Valley
  14. Bishop
  15. Bristlecone Pines
  16. Division Creek
  17. Owens Valley
  18. Dehy Park
  19. Manzanar
  20. Lone Pine
  21. Diaz Lake
  22. Coso Junction
  23. Fossil Falls

 

Site No. 1— Topaz Lake at Highway 89

Highlights

Geology, Fire and Wildlife

Topaz Lake is an artificial reservoir located on the California-Nevada border, about 75 miles south of Reno. The lake was formed by diverting waters from the West Walker River into a nearby basin that had previously contained a smaller, natural lake.

The initial construction took place in 1922, resulting in a reservoir with a capacity of 45,000 acre-feet. In 1937 a new levee raised the capacity to its current 59,440 acre-feet. Topaz Lake is popular for boaters, water-skiers, campers, and fishermen.

Fishing season runs from January 1 to September 30, and the lake is stocked with trout by the Nevada Department of Wildlife and the California Department of Fish and Game.

Monitor Pass (highway 89) is located a few miles south of the Lake. Monitor Pass, which climbs to 8,314 feet, is subject to winter closure due to snow accumulation.

Local Resource Links

Regions Official Website

Local Settlement History


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