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Lake Natoma
Located in the heart of Folsom, a suburb east of Sacramento along US Why 50,
this lake provides a bit of quiet surrounded by the city. The lake is
prettier on the upper (eastern) half from Willow Creek heading towards Folsom
Dam. This lake may have the most kayaks, canoes, and other human powered
boats than any other in California. CSUS has their fleet based just down
stream at Nimbus, so you will see Olympic style sculls practicing each morning.
Lake Natoma is one of the dammed parts of the American River. Lake is
shallow in parts.
Updated Photos from April 2010
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New paved ramped at Willow Creek (no motorized vessels)
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Inside Willow Cove
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Heron nests.
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Protected Heron and Egret nesting area on the western side of the lake.
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One part of lake right next to US 50, otherwise amazinf how quiet lake is.
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Lots of kayakers on the lake use it for practising.
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CSUS facility on Natoma
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CSUS boating facililty by Hazel St
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Beach at park by CSUS Aquacenter.
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Willow Creek Ramp Area.
Parking $5 per day, boat launch is another $8 per day (Boat fee does not
apply to hand launched manually powered kayaks/canoes - we think...we were
charged this once, yet at Negro Bar we were just charged by the ranger for
parking) updated to April 2010 rates).
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Looking out from Willow Creek ramp towards the main part of Lake Natoma
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Lake Natoma, looking upstream above Willow Creek.
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Dredge pilings from the work done during the Gold Rush era.
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Parts of the lake are pretty, others are boring. One constant - lots of birds, nests, etc.
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Looking at the put in, Willow Creek
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Lots of kayak lessons are conducted at Willow Creek, in the lagoon that accesses Lake Natoma. Calm waters.
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Note geese at top of tiny island at entrance to Willow Creek area.
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Goose and kayaks, Willow Creek.
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Kayak fleet in Willow Creek launch area.
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Vin heading upstream on Lake Natoma
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Mid channel Lake Natoma. What is wrong with this photo? Note some of the gulls are standing. Lake Natoma has some shallow spots in the middle!
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Looking upstream, towards Folsom.
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Near "Hat" island, fleet of canoes.
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One of several put-ins at Willow Creek launch area.
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Larger put-in area at Willow Creek. Unimproved ramp can handle smaller powerboats.
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Paved parking area, most of parking area is gravel.
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Two Hurricane kayaks ready to launch at Willow Creek.
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S.S. Relief. Floating outhouse about 1/2 way between Willow Creek and Negro Bar.
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And
now, some updated photos from late April 2008, this time heading upstream from
Negro Bar.
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Negro Bar Launch ramp.
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New Folsom Bridge
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Heading upstream
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The sign at Folsom Prison - do not go further upstream!
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Heading south/downstream again
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Looking downstream, towards the old Folsom bridge.
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Ducks
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More ducks
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