Ruth Reservoir

Ruth Reservoir (also known as Ruth Lake) is the only reservoir on California's Mad River. The reservoir and adjacent community were named for early settler Ruth McKnight. The reservoir was formed by construction of R. W. Matthews Dam in 1962 primarily for domestic and industrial water supply to Arcata, Eureka, and other communities around Humboldt Bay. The reservoir was not designed for flood control storage, but limited December, 1964, flooding to 51 percent of 1955 flow thru the community of Mad River (on California State Route 36) and 90 percent of the 1955 flood flow at Arcata.[2] A 2-MW hydro-electric plant with two 1-MW turbine generators is powered by water released from the reservoir. The plant generates 5 GWh during an average water year.[3] Dry-weather releases flow down the Mad River from the reservoir to be recovered by Humboldt Bay Municipal Water District's Ranney collectors near Essex, California.[4]

Ruth Reservoir
Ruth Reservoir
Ruth Reservoir
LocationTrinity County, California
Coordinates40°22′08″N 123°26′00″W[1]
Typereservoir
Primary outflowsMad River (California)
Basin countriesUnited States
Water volume42,000 acre feet (52×10^6 m3)
Surface elevation2,657 ft (810 m)
References[2]

Recreation

The summer resort community of Ruth developed to expand recreational use of the reservoir. There are 174 cabin lease sites surrounding the reservoir.[5] Registration and inspection is required for all watercraft prior to launching on Ruth Lake. Trailered and motorized boats may be launched only at the marina or at the Ruth Recreational Campground,[6]

See also

References
  1. "Ruth Lake". Geographic Names Information System. United States Geological Survey. Retrieved Jan 11, 2021.
  2. Waananen, A.O., Harris, D.D. and Williams, R.C. (1971). Floods of December 1964 and January 1965 in the Far Western States. Washington, DC: United States Government Printing Office. p. 172.CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link)
  3. "Hydro-Electric Plant". Humboldt Bay Municipal Water District. Archived from the original on 2010-09-04. Retrieved 2010-08-23.
  4. "Diversion and Pumping Works". Humboldt Bay Municipal Water District. Archived from the original on 2010-09-04. Retrieved 2010-08-23.
  5. "Humboldt Bay Municipal Water District Issues Temporary Boating Restrictions to Protect Water Supply" (PDF). Humboldt Bay Municipal Water District. Retrieved 2010-08-23.
  6. "Invasive Species Alert". Humboldt Bay Municipal Water District. Retrieved 2010-08-23.
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