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South Fork State Recreation Area
353 Lower South Fork Unit 8
Spring Creek, NV 89815
(775) 744-4346
sfsra@wirelessbeehive.com

   South Fork Reservoir covers 1,650 acres and is surrounded by 2,200 acres of wildlife-filled meadow lands and rolling hills. It is popular for hunting, camping, boating, picnicking, winter sports and wildlife viewing. The park is best known for its trophy-class trout and bass fishery. Facilities include a boat launch, campground, trailer dump station and picnic area. Located 16 miles south of Elko on State Route 228, the park is open year-round, but access may be hampered by extreme cold and snow during the winter months.

Campers at the Westshore

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Facilities & Amenities


Park Origin and History:

The South Fork of the Humboldt River is a main tributary to the Humboldt River drainage basin which originates along the west slope of the Ruby Mountains approximately 12 miles south of Elko, Nevada.

The history of the South Fork Dam project goes back to the 1938 Flood Control Act when the U.S. Congress authorized feasibility studies for building dams and reservoirs on rivers such as the Humboldt.

In 1950, the U.S. Corps of Engineers, selected a site known as " Hylton Lake" on the South Fork of the Humboldt River. The name "Hylton" was derived from John J. Hylton who operated various ranching, farming and a flour mill operation on the upper South Fork in the 1870's thru the 1920's.

Further studies during 1973-74 realized the possible detrimental effects that upstream flood control like "Hylton" would cause to the downstream wetlands of the Humboldt Sink. Studies later focused on alternatives to the originally proposed Hylton Dam which was scheduled to be 120,000 acre-feet in size. This is roughly 3 times the size of the present South Fork Reservoir.

In 1982, the Elko County Recreation Board hired an engineer to prepare a report on the feasibility of constructing a smaller recreational reservoir. This smaller reservoir, named the South Fork Reservoir and located ½ mile upstream from the proposed Hylton Dam, reduced the previously proposed Hylton Dam capacity of 120,000 acre-feet to 40,000 acre-feet and eliminated the flood control and irrigation storage requirements.

In 1983, the Nevada State Legislature passed Senate Bill 153 which involved the State in the project funding by issuance of State Revenue bonds. South Fork Dam was completed in 1988 using funding from the State of Nevada and Elko County residents.

The South Fork Reservoir operation adopted a "flow-in flow-out" concept, thus protecting downstream water rights and minimizing the impacts to wildlife habitat in the Humboldt Sink. South Fork Dam is designed as a rolled, earthfilled embankment approximately 1,650 feet long, 90 feet high, with a 30 foot crest. Overflow is protected by a primary and secondary spillway.

South Fork Reservoir is approximately three miles long and one to one-half miles wide. The average depth is 30 South Fork Dam is designed as a rolled, earthfilled embankment approximately 1,650 feet long, 90 feet high, with a 30 foot crest. Overflow is protected by a primary and secondary spillway. The basic premise of South Fork Reservoir is storage of excess flows of the Upper Humboldt Drainage system to provide a recreational reservoir.

Primary recreational uses of South Fork Reservoir are lake fishing and boating. With constant water levels, South Fork Reservoir has become a productive fishery. Trophy size Rainbow and Brown Trout, Smallmouth and Largemouth Black Bass and Channel Catfish are the big five game fish species in South Fork Reservoir. These species are thriving in what were productive and densely vegetated meadows. Most fish caught are of exceptional girth compared to length. The Nevada Division of State Parks, Nevada Division of Wildlife and Nevada Division of Water Resources share different operations and management of South Fork Reservoir.

Current park visitation exceeds 100,000 visitors a year.

Tomera Ranch History

South Fork Reservoir is situated on what was once the historic Tomera Ranch. Initial settlement of the South Fork Valley occurred in 1867. South Fork Valley offered unclaimed farm and ranch land, a constant supply of water, and good travel routes between thriving mining camps. Stage and freight lines and the completion of a railroad through Elko in 1869 soon provided expanded markets for garden and dairy products, livestock and grain to mining camps.

South Fork Reservoir is built upon three historic Ranch complexes. These three ranch complexes were the Porter ( Julian Tomera ) Ranch, Landa Ranch and the Reinhart (Edward Tomera ) Ranch. All three Ranch complexes changed ownership numerous times from the 1860's to 1983. In 1983, the Tomera's who were the last ranchers in what is now South Fork Reservoir sold their property to the State of Nevada.


Natural Resources:

South Fork Reservoir occupies what was once a wide alluvial river valley covered with fertile meadows which were used for grass cover, hay production and grazing pasture. With the filling of South Fork Reservoir in 1995, these meadows were flooded and what is left for the visitor to see is flanked, older river terraces with gentle to steeply sloping bluffs.

Plant species along these bluffs are abundant and include big sagebrush, black sagebrush, rabbit-brush, willow, grasses, sedges, rushes and forbes.

Noxious weeks have invaded many portions of South Fork Reservoir and efforts to eradicate non-native plant specifies are continually undergone by park staff. Efforts to eradicate noxious weeds are complicated, time-consuming and will take many years to be successful.

Native tree species are limited to Narrow-Leaf Cottonwood and Single-leaf Pinyon Pine and Utah Juniper in the southern portion of the park. Efforts are under way to plant native trees throughout South Fork.

The South Fork of the Humboldt River portion from the Lucky Nugget Subdivision access causeway to the upstream Gauging Station is open to public use. Plant and animal specifies are highly abundant. Fishing and hunting in season with shotgun only is allowed. This area of South Fork is designed as a Trophy Fishery with a one trout limit. Only artificial lures with single barb-less hooks may be used.

The downstream portion of the South Fork of the Humboldt below the Dam is also open to fishing and hunting in season with shotgun only, 1.4 mile past the spill way. The are past the park boundary fence-line is administered by the Bureau of Land Management Office in Elko.

Numerous species of waterfowl are common at South Fork including Mallard Ducks, Pintail Ducks, Green-Winged Teal, American Widgeon, Northern Shoveler, and Common Coots. Canada Geese are also year-round residents.

Mammals include Rocky Mountain mule deer, badgers, coyote, beavers, and Kit foxes. Please do not disturb the wildlife present at South Fork.

Location and Climate:

South Fork State Recreation Area is located by traveling 7 miles south of Elko on State Route 227, 5.5 miles south on State Route 228, and 3.5 miles SW on Lower South Fork Road. The Ruby Mountains are 10-15 miles to the east and provide a grand scenic backdrop for the site, rising to 11,387 feet at Ruby Dome.

The area is typical of Northeastern Nevada with arid, hot summers and cold winters. Temperatures are variable with high's in the 90's in the summers with minus lows possible during the winter.


Facilities:

Entrance Fee:  An entrance fee is charged to enter the park, with additional fee for camping and boat launching. Current fees are posted at the park entrance. Click here for all individual park fees by region.

Boat Launching:  Two boat ramps are available. The West Shore Boat Launch was completed in 1999 and can accommodate boats up to 15' in length. Float tube enthusiasts are encouraged to use this area. The main boat launch has ample parking and a non-flush restroom.

Camping:   A 25 site campground is located off the North park access road. Facilities include campsite tables, grills and a flush restroom with showers. The campground is open from early May to November 15th. Open camping is also available along the West Shore.

Day-use:  There are no developed day-use facilities at this time. Picnicking is allowed in most areas of the reservoir.

RV Dump Station:  A R.V. Dump Station is available year-round and is just off the main North park entrance road.

Park Office:  Dependent upon staffing, the park office is usually open M-F from 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Please stop in if you need assistance.


Reminders:

The Nevada Division of State Parks has developed this area for your benefit and enjoyment.

To make your visit and the visit of others more enjoyable, please observe the following:
  1. Drive only on established roadways and only park in designated areas.
  2. Vehicles and Operators must be licensed.
  3. Hunting is allowed in season with a shotgun or archery only. Hunting is prohibited within 1/4 mile of any developed facility: campground, boat ramps.
  4. Dogs must be on a leash.
  5. Pack it in; Pack it out. No littering.
  6. Special Fishing regulations are in effect. Please check current Fishing regulations.
  7. A flat -wake boating zone is in effect in the Willows area of the reservoir.
  8. Camp fires are only permitted in designated areas.
  9. Quiet Hours are in effect from 10:00 p.m. to 7:00 a.m.

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