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Feature Hetch Hetchy - Tuolumne Watershed Items
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The SFPUC manages reservoirs located in three distinct watersheds. Hetch Hetchy Reservoir is located in Yosemite National Park within the 459-square-mile Tuolumne River watershed. Lake Eleanor is located in Yosemite National Park within the 79-square-mile Eleanor Creek watershed. Cherry Lake is located in Stanislaus National Forest within the 114-square-mile Cherry Creek watershed.
Land Use
The Hetch Hetchy Reservoir, while providing water to millions of people in the San Francisco Bay Area, also provides visitors with access to spectacular beauty and the wilderness of Yosemite National Park. Many hiking trails originate from O'Shaughnessy Dam -- ranging from easy hikes to strenuous backpacking -- and some of Hetch Hetchy's most beautiful features are easily seen from the top of the dam.
Backpackers have several locations to choose from: Pate Valley, Laurel Lake, Lake Vernon, Jack Main Canyon, Smith Peak and Poopenaut Valley. Hiking information and maps can be found at the Hetch Hetchy entrance to the park and on our Virtual Tour.
Geology
Approximately 85% of the drinking water provided by the San Francisco Public Utilities Commission (SFPUC) comes from the 459-square-mile protected watershed of the wild and scenic Tuolumne River in Yosemite National Park. Sierra Nevada snowmelt flows down the Tuolumne River and into Hetch Hetchy reservoir. It is one of the nation's premier drinking water systems thanks to the protection provided by this granite basin in the Yosemite wilderness.
Natural Environment
The Hetch Hetchy area hosts a variety of plants, wildflowers, birds and animals, all living harmoniously in one of the world's most beautiful regions. Whether on a day hike or backpack trip, you may come across the following:
Wildflowers - Heuchera, California poppy, lupine, wallflower, shooting stars, waterfall buttercups, bright California fuchsia brodiaea, dwarf alpine monkey flower, clarkia and Sierra lessingia.
Trees - California black oak, big leaf maple, Ponderosa pine, dogwood and incense cedar.
Birds - Steller's jays, sparrows, woodpeckers, hummingbirds, titmouse, peregrine falcon, bald eagle, golden eagle, red-tailed hawk, common merganser, osprey, great horned owl, robin and Ouzel (American dipper).
Wildlife - black bear, mule deer, mountain lion, California mountain kingsnake, rattlesnake, chipmunk, coyote, bobocat and squirrel.
