Almaden Reservoir

In the hills south of San Jose, California, is the man-made lake known as Almaden Reservoir. It shares a boundary with the 1,685 ha (4,163 acres) Almaden Quicksilver County Park, which offers a few opportunities for horseback riding, hiking, picnics, and fishing. There are no swimming or boating restrictions in the reservoir. Due to excessive mercury levels, the California Office of Environmental Health Hazard Assessment has issued a "Do Not Eat" advice for any fish captured in Almaden Reservoir.

It is one of the 10 reservoirs controlled by the Santa Clara Valley Water District and is one of the smallest, measuring only 25 hectares. Nonetheless, it provides 4% of the water for the region.

Almaden Reservoir, like Guadalupe Reservoir, has a catch and release policy, and swimming in the lake is not permitted. In addition to equestrian, cycling, and hiking paths in the nearby Almaden Quicksilver County Park, there are picnic tables close to the lake's beach.

Location: Santa Clara County, south of San Jose, California