Alpine lakes are fascinating ecosystems. They are recognized for their clear and pristine appearance, and are mostly cold-water environments nestled into rugged high elevation landscapes. These lakes harbor unique and interesting plant and animal species adapted to thrive in the seemingly harsh environment. The goal of this blog is to introduce California Waterblog readers to California’s alpine lake resources and to highlight the significance of effectively managing these valuable and increasingly vulnerable ecosystems. As a researcher in mountain lake ecology, I’m excited to share some of my field research and provide an overview for why these lakes offer unique opportunities to learn about California’s freshwater resources and food web ecology.