Lake Isabella, Reservoir in Kern County, California, United States

Lake Isabella is a reservoir in Kern County, California, formed where the North and South Forks of the Kern River meet behind the earthen Isabella Dam. Its irregular black-water surface covers about 11,000 acres (4,500 ha) at roughly 2,500 ft (760 m) in the low southern Sierra Nevada, with a jagged shoreline of dry, rocky tan and brown ridges.

The Isabella Dam was completed in 1953 and flooded the original settlements of Isabella and Kernville, whose residents were relocated. The new Kernville was built slightly upstream, while the old town centers disappeared underwater.

The reservoir attracts anglers year-round who come for trout, bass, and catfish, while boaters use the open water for skiing and sailing. On summer weekends, families gather along the shoreline to camp, barbecue, and swim.

Access to the water is available through several boat ramps and shoreline areas spread around the lake. Campgrounds in the area offer different facilities, ranging from basic sites to spots with electrical hookups.

The water level fluctuates greatly depending on rainfall and water management, so old tree stumps and remains of the submerged settlements become visible in some shoreline areas. These relics from the past emerge especially during dry periods when the water level drops.