The Crystal Basin Recreation Area spans about 85,000 acres along the western slopes of the Sierra Nevada in the Eldorado National Forest. Ringed by the granite peaks of the Crystal Range and dotted with alpine lakes and reservoirs, it’s a year-round destination for camping, boating, fishing, hiking, and winter recreation, with more than 700 developed campsites open to the public.
At its heart is the Upper American River Project (UARP), a network of reservoirs and hydroelectric powerhouses that the Sacramento Municipal Utility District (SMUD) has operated in partnership with the U.S. Forest Service since 1957. Together these facilities generate enough clean, affordable electricity to power about 200,000 homes a year in the Sacramento region, while keeping the basin open for public recreation. Loon Lake Reservoir is one of the project’s key storage reservoirs.
Because Loon Lake is a working reservoir, its level rises and falls throughout the year with snowmelt, inflows, and hydroelectric operations. SMUD monitors lake levels, inflows, and outflows year-round — you can check current and historical Loon Lake water levels on our Loon Lake Reservoir Conditions page.
