Middletown - The Geysers

Lake County is part of one of the world's foremost geothermal resource areas. Geothermal development has grown dramatically since the late 1950's in the area known as "The Geysers" in the Mayacmas Mountains near the Cobb Mountain Area. There are more than 300 wells, 80 of which serve Lake County power plants.

The magma body responsible for the steam fields is associated with volcanic activity which began in the Clear Lake area a million years ago. The Geysers were known as an area of hissing fumaroles and boiling springs in the late 1840's and by the end of the century had become nationally known for it's hot springs resorts and health spas.