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News Release 11-244

Evidence Emerges of Ancient Lake in California's Eel River

Ecological changes from lakebed may have led to two different populations of once-related steelhead trout

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Downstream view of the Eel River showing the reconstructed ancient lake surface in blue.

View down the Eel River, with the reconstructed ancient lake surface in blue.

Credit: Ben Mackey, Caltech


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Nefus Peak, the source of the ancient landslide that formed the lake.

Nefus Peak, the source of the ancient landslide that formed the lake.

Credit: Ben Mackey, Caltech


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the modern Eel River in blue and the landslide scar in black.

The modern Eel River is shown here, in blue. The landslide scar is visible in black.

Credit: Ben Mackey, Caltech


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Photo of the Eel River at the dam site.

The Eel River at the dam site. Much of the evidence for the dam has been eroded over time.

Credit: Ben Mackey, Caltech


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Photo of three rock samples of fine silt and mud that were collected upstream.

Fine silt and mud were found upstream, indicating sediments in the still waters of a lake.

Credit: Ben Mackey, Caltech


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the lake's shore cut into opposite hillslope, forming broad, flat areas shown in contours.

The lake's shore cut into the opposite hillslope, forming broad, flat areas shown in contours.

Credit: Ben Mackey, Caltech


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