Tinemaha Reservoir, body of water

Tinemaha Reservoir is a reservoir on the Owens River in the Owens Valley of Inyo County, eastern California, created by a dam and operated as part of the Los Angeles Aqueduct system by the Los Angeles Department of Water and Power. The reservoir lies at 37.05800, -118.22500 and its water is held for the aqueduct that carries Sierra Nevada water to Los Angeles.

Tinemaha Reservoir was formed by a dam on the Owens River in the Owens Valley, part of the Los Angeles Aqueduct system operated by the Los Angeles Department of Water and Power. The 1938 Western film Under Western Stars, starring Roy Rogers, was filmed at the reservoir.

The reservoir serves as a gathering place for migratory birds, drawing watchers who observe ducks, geese, and pelicans throughout the year. The seasonal shifts in water levels shape the landscape and influence how local wildlife adapts to these natural cycles.

The reservoir is easily reached from US Highway 395, about 9 miles (14 kilometers) south of Big Pine, where a roadside overlook and walking path along the earthen dam offer clear views of the water. Visit during fall and winter months when migratory birds gather and rest, as the water level fluctuates seasonally, affecting how much shoreline and habitat is visible.

The reservoir itself was a filming location for the 1938 Western "Under Western Stars" starring Roy Rogers. Birders come in winter specifically for tundra swans, which winter at the reservoir, alongside loons and American white pelicans that stop over on migration.