Walking Waterhoods: Lodi Lake

An introductory tour to Lodi Lake

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Walking Waterhoods: Lodi Lake

Lodi, California 95240, United States

Created By: Wholly H2O

Tour Information

Lodi Lake has been a place of respite and relaxation for over 140 years, when it was just a seasonal pond on Charles Smith's farm land. People from Woodbridge and Lodi were welcome to come picnic and enjoy themselves. Placing a dam on the Mokelumne River in Woodbridge increased the lake's size, and eventually the property was sold to the City of Lodi with the promise that it be a public park.

Take a stroll along the water and learn some of the history of this beloved public space.


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What You'll See on the Tour

This might look like a typical parking lot, but it was updated with environmentally-friendly features in 2024. Why? When it rains, water flows across the pavement carrying toxic pollutants like automobile oils and fluids, tire dust, and ani... Read more
The Grape Festival is Lodi's most popular annual event, attracting tens of thousands of visitors each September to celebrate the grape harvest. Today, it's held at the Lodi Grape Festival grounds, but did you know that it used to be at the ... Read more
In the early 1900s, farmers around Lodi Lake organized "rabbit drives" as a way to reduce the rabbit population. They invited hunters to help clear out the rabbits, which had become a serious problem for local crops. The drives became annua... Read more
In 1875, early settler Charles Edward Smith bought 80 acres of land from Captain Alexander McQueen on the south side of the Mokelumne River. Smith initially farmed onions and flax on the land; by 1885, he had also established a vineyard and... Read more
The Mokelumne River to the north fills Lodi Lake. As the river moves downstream from the Nature Area, it reaches the concrete Woodbridge Diversion Dam. The dam blocks some of the river’s flow, causing the water to collect behind it, creat... Read more
When it rains, clean water falls into the river and onto the ground. However, when that rain falls onto any impermeable surface like concrete, streets and roofs, it becomes known as "stormwater," water that can't soak into the ground natura... Read more
Welcome to the Lodi Lake Discovery Center! Step inside and immerse yourself in the wonders of the Mokelumne River ecosystem. Get up close with impressive taxidermy displays of local wildlife, from majestic birds of prey to elusive foxes and... Read more
Did you know hundreds of students in Lodi help raise baby salmon right in their classrooms every year? The Salmon in the Classroom program takes place from 2nd grade to high school in 54 classrooms in Lodi Unified School District. Students ... Read more
Fish kills (or fish die-offs) are signs of serious environmental distress in rivers and other bodies of water. Common reasons for fish kills are human sewage and agricultural fertilizers causing algae blooms and deoxygenating the water. Ano... Read more
Next time you take a sip of water in Lodi, think about this: you're drinking a blend of river water and 40-year-old "groundwater." The city’s drinking water comes from two main sources: the Mokelumne River and groundwater. After it rains,... Read more
If you've ever turned on a tap in Lodi, you've been using water treated right here at the Surface Water Treatment Plant. Since the 1980s, Lodi has nearly doubled its population, so relying solely on groundwater has become unsustainable. The... Read more
Ever wondered where your water goes after you flush the toilet or drain the sink? Lodi’s White Slough Water Pollution Control Plant — approximately 10 miles southwest of Lodi Lake — treats your "wastewater," transforming it into clean... Read more
Woodbridge, the small town that borders on Lodi Lake, has deep roots in California’s history. In 1852, a man named Jeremiah Woods set up a ferry crossing on the Mokelumne River, making it a popular spot for travelers between Stockton and ... Read more
After the construction of the Woodbridge Dam in 1910, the new dam blocked salmon and steelhead trout from reaching their upstream spawning areas to which they return each year. When those species lose access to upper watersheds, they can't ... Read more
In the late 1800s, local farmers sought steady water supply from the Mokelumne River to support Lodi’s growing agriculture. In 1889, they formed the Woodbridge Canal & Irrigation Company. In 1891, they constructed a wooden dam to coll... Read more

 

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