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Hikers at Independence Lake The Nature Conservancy

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Independence Lake's beauty and rustic nature are matched only by the amazing biodiversity that it supports.  Independence Lake is home to one of only two wild, self-sustaining populations of Lahontan cutthroat trout in the world - a fish that has been lost from 99% of its historic range. Independence Lake also plays an important role in providing clean drinking water to western Nevada.

Supporting Fish, Wildlife, and People

In addition to the Lahontan cutthroat trout, Independence Lake hosts populations of six other native Lahontan fishes that have lived here since glaciers disappeared some 10,000 years ago.  Because of its pristine nature and intact ecosystem, Independence Lake has become a unique refuge for rare fish. 

The surrounding pine forest is home to black bear, mountain lion, and mule deer.  Bald eagles and osprey can be spotted from the shorelines, hunting fish.  The region is also home to rare species like the willow flycatcher, mountain yellow-legged frog, and Sierra Nevada mountain beaver.

Independence Lake also plays an important role in supporting human communities.  As a part of the Truckee River watershed, the lake is a crucial part of the system that supplies clean drinking water to northern Nevada, including Reno and Sparks.

Independence Lake at Risk

The pristine status of Independence Lake still faces threats.  If aquatic invasive species such as mussels, snails, and plants find their way to Independence Lake, they could severely disrupt recreation, the lake's healthy ecosystem, and the delivery of clean drinking water.  In addition, these invasives could affect the lake's unique assemblage of native fish.  Aquatic invasive species can clog water pipes and valves; they can cover beaches with sharp shells; and they can fill calm waters with thick mats of smelly aquatic plants.  If we are to enjoy Independence Lake's unspoiled beauty in the future, it is critical that we keep out these unwanted species.  

Boat movement between lakes has been identified as the primary means for these aquatic invaders to get established in previously unaffected lakes.  Also, without proper management, the forest surrounding Independence Lake is at risk of catastrophic wildfire which would destroy habitat and cause serious erosion into the lake and stream. 

The Vision for Independence Lake

The Nature Conservancy acquired property around Independence Lake in late April 2010, and now we are working with partners to:  

• Preserve critical habitat for native fish and wildlife
• Reduce the risk of introduction of aquatic invasive plants and animals
• Implement forest management strategies to decrease the risk of wildfire
• Allow visitors to enjoy the lake in ways that are compatible with the conservation of this precious resource

Public Access and Use

Independence Lake will be open to the public from the end of June until the end of October.  The Truckee Donner Land Trust and The Nature Conservancy will jointly manage the property.  

Please click on the “Visit” tab for further information on public access and recreation.

Want more information on public uses at the lake?  Download our recreational assessment(.pdf) from December 2010 and our recreational survey results (.pdf) from February 2011.

Partners

Independence Lake is a priority for the Northern Sierra Partnership, an alliance dedicated to cooperative action that will conserve the lands and waters of the Northern Sierra, and enhance its communities and local economies, for future generations.

The Nature Conservancy will continue to manage Independence Lake with the help of partners like the Truckee Donner Land Trust, who will jointly provide for public access and recreation at Independence Lake. The lake and forests will be managed to sustain fish and wildlife and to provide a continuing supply of clean water to communities downstream.

Other partners include:

• Bella Vista Foundation
• California Department of Fish and Game
• California Resources Agency
• California Trout
• California Wildlife Conservation Board
• National Fish and Wildlife Foundation
• NV Energy
• David and Lucile Packard Foundation
• Patagonia
• Sierra Business Council
• Sierra Nevada Conservancy
• Trout Unlimited
• Truckee Donner Land Trust
• Truckee Meadows Water Authority
• Truckee River Watershed Council
• U.S. Bureau of Reclamation
• U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service
• U.S. Forest Service
• U.S. Geological Survey
• U.S. Senator Harry Reid

Welcome to the visitor information page for the Independence Lake Preserve.

As we move into the 2011 season at the Independence Lake Preserve, recreation access and uses will be implemented in a timely and prudent way to ensure a quality experience for visitors.

Depending on weather and snow conditions, the Independence Lake Preserve is scheduled be open to the public on July 2nd, 2011and will remain open through the end of October.

Independence Lake is open for daytime use from sunrise to sunset unless you are camping at one of the designated campsites.  Due to an unforeseen delay in issuance of the special use permit for the public camp sites, The Nature Conservancy and the Truckee Donner Land Trust will be unable to offer camping within the originally planned timeline. We hope to bring this recreation option to the Independence Lake Preserve before the end of the summer. We will update the public with progress.

Activities and uses that are not permitted:

• Motorized equipment except for motorboats available on-site free of charge
• Watercraft of any kind from outside the preserve
• Hunting or discharging firearms
• Lighting fires outside of designated campsite fire rings
• Smoking
• Cutting firewood for removal from preserve
• Felt soled waders
• Live bait

Things To Do

Hiking, fishing, motor boating, kayaking, picnicking, wildlife viewing, and more.

Plan Your Visit

Pets must be leashed to enjoy Independence Lake.  Please pick up after your pet.

No motor vehicles are permitted except on county roads and in the parking areas.

We request that all footgear you plan to use in the lake be washed at our wash station before you enter the lake. No felt-soled waders are permitted.

Information on Walk in Camping: 

Due to an unforeseen delay in issuance of the special use permit for the public camp sites, The Nature Conservancy and the Truckee Donner Land Trust will be unable to offer camping within the originally planned timeline. We hope to bring this recreation option to the Independence Lake Preserve before the end of the summer. We will update the public with progress. 

Information on Boats and Watercraft:

All watercraft available to the public at no charge will be part of an “in-basin” fleet that The Nature Conservancy has purchased strictly for use on Independence Lake. As watercraft are one of the primary ways aquatic invasive species are introduced into waterways, providing a strictly in-basin fleet gives the public watercraft recreation options while drastically reducing this risk. No boats, float tubes or paddlecraft from outside the Preserve will be permitted.

While non-motorized watercraft will be available throughout the season, motorized boating will be available every other week, thus allowing for certain quiet periods on the lake which were noted as very important to a large number of respondents during the 2011 public outreach process.

Motorboats will be available to the public beginning Saturday, July 16th and extending through the following Friday, July 22nd, and then again every other week.  Subsequent motorboat weeks will all begin on Saturday and end on Friday as follows: July 30th to August 5th, August 13th to August 19th, August 27th to September 2nd, September 10 to September 16th, September 24th to September 30th, October 8th to October 14th, and October 22nd to October 28th.

Details:

·         Types of watercraft available free of charge:

o   3  14-ft aluminum boats with 9.9 hp outboard motors

o   8  kayaks – 6 single sit-on-top and 2 tandem sit-on-top kayaks

o   4  pontoon float tubes

·         First come, first served – no reservations

Directions

Getting to Independence Lake from Interstate-80/Truckee, CA:

- Exit I-80 to Route 89 North - Sierraville.

- Travel approximately 15 miles North on Highway 89 to Independence Lake/Webber Lake/Jackson Meadow Reservoir turn-off.

- Turn Left/West off of Route 89 toward Independence Lake/Webber Lake/Jackson Meadow Reservoir.

- Stay on paved road for 1.5 miles. Turn Left/South at sign for “Independence Lake – 5 miles.”

- Continue approximately 5 miles to Independence Lake. The road becomes a rough dirt road. High clearance vehicle advised. After roughly 2 miles you reach a fork in the road and a sign for “Independence Lake -  3 miles.” Take the RIGHT fork of the road. After approx. ½ mile there is another fork, follow the LEFT fork across a stream.  If you do not drive across a stream soon after taking this left fork, you have made a wrong turn. Continue along this road going roughly south. 

- The entrance to the Independence Lake Preserve is marked with a sign. Follow the directional signs to the parking area.

Discussion

Have you been to this preserve? Are you thinking of visiting? See what others are saying about their experiences and add your comments below.

Add Your Comments

Time for you to join the discussion. Tell us about your experience at this preserve. What plants and animals did you see? When did you go? You can help others plan their visit when you share your thoughts. And thank you for visiting one of our nature preserves!

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