Donner Lake

Donner Lake is eleven miles from Lake Tahoe, well known for its tourist resorts and winter skiing. Donner Lake is a much smaller freshwater source in Tahoe City, California close to the Sierra Nevada range. A natural dam created by a moraine helped form the lake, which has a maximum length of 2.7 miles and a surface area of 1.31 square miles. Truckee is also the nearest town between Interstate 80 and Schallenberger Ridge. The Union Pacific Railroad runs near the lake and there is also the historic route of US 40 which follows part of the lake's shoreline before climbing up Donner Pass.

The lake and the pass were named after the Donner Party, who came to California in 1846 getting stuck by the winter climate change. The snow blocked them off from any supplies. The lake is part of the state park and campsite that is also named after the party.

Fishing is one of the most popular recreational activities at Donner Lake. Its deepest point is 328 feet and is stocked with rainbow and brown trout, also Kokanee Salmon. Other recreation includes boating, wind surfing, water skiing, and cross country skiing (in winter).