Lake Almanor, Reservoir in Plumas County, California.

Lake Almanor is a reservoir in Plumas County in northeastern California, formed by Canyon Dam on the North Fork of the Feather River. Its surface covers 43.75 square miles (about 113 square kilometers), and the hydraulic-fill dam stands 130 feet (40 meters) tall. Dark evergreen trees line the near shore, with low hills along the far horizon.

Great Western Power completed the first dam in 1914 and flooded the North Fork Feather River valley. Yamani Maidu families lost their village and had to leave the area.

The name combines the first syllables of Alice, Martha, and Eleanor, three daughters of Vice President Guy C. Earl. Today families use the water for swimming and boating, while anglers seek out the shores and coves.

In summer the water warms to about 20 to 21 degrees Celsius (68 to 70 degrees Fahrenheit) and works well for swimming and water sports. The shore areas are easily accessible for swimmers and boaters.

There is no powerhouse at Canyon Dam itself. Water is drawn through a tunnel and penstock from an outlet tower between Prattville and Plumas Pines Resort, then sent to the 41 MW Butt Valley Powerhouse and on to the Caribou and Belden facilities.