Stevens Creek Reservoir, Artificial reservoir in Santa Clara County, United States
Stevens Creek Reservoir is an artificial lake in the Santa Cruz Mountains foothills near Cupertino, formed by the 1935 Stevens Creek Dam. Its winding, branched shape splits around tree-covered peninsulas, with sloping shores of exposed brown earth and green brush. The 132-foot earthen dam stands at the left, and small white boats are moored near the water's edge below a grassy bank.
The reservoir was built in 1935 by the Santa Clara Valley Water District to serve the region's growing water needs. It was later strengthened and expanded, reflecting changes in how the area managed its water supply.
The reservoir bears the name of Captain Elijah Stephens, who led the first wagon train across the Sierra Nevada mountains in 1844.
Non-powered craft such as kayaks are allowed only during certain parts of the year, and every vessel must be inspected for invasive Quagga mussels before launch; powered boats and jet skis are banned. Swimming is not permitted. Six miles of trails link the surrounding county park with Fremont Older Open Space Preserve, and a park entrance lies three miles from Interstate 280.
Stevens Creek Reservoir holds a landlocked population of native steelhead, a fish that normally migrates to the Pacific. Because these holdovers are likely endangered, the state advises against fishing for trout here, and the reservoir was historically stocked with farmed rainbow trout until elevated methylmercury levels ended the practice.
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