Nicasio Reservoir, body of water
Nicasio Reservoir is a shallow body of water surrounded by open hills in Marin County and covers a broad expanse of land. The water is fed by Nicasio Creek and offers clear views across the landscape with gentle terrain on all sides.
The reservoir was created in 1961 when the local water district built the earthen Seeger Dam to store water across the valley. Several long-established farms, including the McIsaac Farm and Tomasini Ranch, were displaced when the area flooded.
Nicasio Reservoir sits in a region shaped by farming tradition for generations. Visitors can sense this heritage through the open grasslands and rural character that still define the landscape today.
The site is reachable in about an hour from San Francisco and offers free parking along the roads surrounding the water. A trail of about 5 kilometers winds gently around the shoreline and works well for families or leisurely walks.
The site was once home to farms before flooding in 1961, and river otters have been spotted here in recent years as a sign of wildlife recovery. These rare mammals show that the water still supports living ecosystems even though the dam blocked the original salmon migration.
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