Bethany Reservoir
Bethany Reservoir is located northeast of Livermore, in the northeastern corner of Alameda County, California, USA. It is the northern most part of the California Aqueduct, and receives water pumped by the Banks Pumping Plant from Clifton Court Forebay, which in turn receives waters pumped from the San Joaquin-Sacramento River Delta. It serves as the forebay for the South Bay Pumping Plant that feeds the South Bay Aqueduct and the main branch of the California Aqueduct which flows south along the west side of the San Joaquin Valley approximately to the O'Neill Forebay at the San Luis Reservoir.
Characteristics
History
Bethany Reservoir was named after Bethany, a town and ferry in San Joaquin County, which was probably named for the ancient town of Bethany in the State of Palestine. The town of Bethany was originally Mohr Station, named for John Mohr who sold the site to the Southern Pacific Railroad. Because it was confused with a Moore's Station, the name was changed.
Ecology
A 1986 survey for the federally endangered San Joaquin kit fox in Contra Costa and Alameda Counties found the area around Bethany Reservoir to be the northernmost remaining range for the species. The smallest of the kit fox family, San Joaquin kit fox in this northern part of their range were noted to feed primarily on California ground squirrels. Extirpation of the San Joaquin kit fox from even more northern Contra Costa County is thought due to poisoning of ground squirrels and depredation by red fox and coyote. Mesopredators of kit foxes, red fox and coyote populations were released by extirpation of gray wolves from most of California. However a 2003 survey using dogs and aerial surveillance found no remaining San Joaquin kit fox in Contra Costa or Alameda Counties.
Recreation
Bethany Reservoir State Recreation Area surrounds Bethany Reservoir and is a popular place for water-oriented recreation, especially fishing and windsurfing. It also features a bike trail.