| Bethany Reservoir | |
|---|---|
 Bethany Reservoir and aqueduct | |
  Bethany Reservoir  Bethany Reservoir | |
| Location | Alameda County, California |
| Coordinates | 37°46′36″N121°36′24″W / 37.77667°N 121.60667°W /37.77667; -121.60667[1] |
| Type | reservoir |
| Basin countries | United States |
| Surface area | 180 acres (73 ha) |
| Shore length1 | 6 miles (9.7 km) |
| Surface elevation | 250 feet (76 m) |
| 1 Shore length isnot a well-defined measure. | |
Bethany Reservoir is located 8 miles (13 km) northeast ofLivermore, in the northeastern corner ofAlameda County, California, USA. It is the northern most part of theCalifornia Aqueduct, and receives water pumped by theBanks Pumping Plant fromClifton Court Forebay, which in turn receives waters pumped from theSan Joaquin-Sacramento River Delta. It serves as the forebay for theSouth Bay Pumping Plant that feeds theSouth Bay Aqueduct and the main branch of the California Aqueduct which flows south along the west side of theSan Joaquin Valley approximately 60 miles (97 km) to theO'Neill Forebay at theSan Luis Reservoir.[2]
Bethany Reservoir was named after Bethany, a town and ferry inSan Joaquin County, which was probably named for the ancient town ofBethany in theState of Palestine. The town of Bethany was originally Mohr Station, named for John Mohr who sold the site to theSouthern Pacific Railroad. Because it was confused with a Moore's Station, the name was changed.[4]
A 1986 survey for the federally endangeredSan Joaquin kit fox (Vulpes macrotis mutica) inContra Costa andAlameda 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 onCalifornia ground squirrels (Otospermophilus beecheyi). Extirpation of the San Joaquin kit fox from even more northern Contra Costa County is thought due to poisoning of ground squirrels and depredation byred fox (Vulpes vulpes) andcoyote (Canis latrans). Mesopredators of kit foxes, red fox and coyote populations were released by extirpation ofgray wolves (Canis lupus) from most of California.[5] However a 2003 survey using dogs and aerial surveillance found no remaining San Joaquin kit fox in Contra Costa or Alameda Counties.[6]
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 (along the California Aqueduct Bikeway).ref>"Bethany Reservoir SRA". California State Parks. Retrieved2011-10-01.</ref>
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