Fountaingrove Lake, reservoir in Santa Rosa, California
Fountaingrove Lake is a small reservoir in Santa Rosa created by a dam built across Piner Creek. The body of water spans about 33 acres and sits within a hilly landscape surrounded by oak trees and wetland areas that support local wildlife.
The lake was created in the 1950s when an earthen dam was constructed to manage water supply for the area. Decades later in the 1980s, a private golf course was built nearby, which further developed the landscape around the water.
The lake takes its name from the Fountaingrove neighborhood that developed around it. Today, locals and visitors use the water and its shoreline for casual walks and to watch ducks and birds in their natural habitat.
The lake is easy to access and offers shoreline paths for walking and observing birds and wildlife. Water levels vary seasonally, sometimes rising after heavy rain or receding during dry months, which changes the appearance of the area with each visit.
The lake is home to rare species such as the Western pond turtle, which hides among the wetland plants. These turtles are difficult to spot today, but their presence indicates that this quiet spot plays an important role for local wildlife.
The community of curious travelers
AroundUs brings together thousands of curated places, local tips, and hidden gems, enriched daily by 60,000 contributors worldwide.
