Where is and what is the name of this California lake?

Question

A while back I caught a story on the news about a man made lake town that was built up back in I believe the 1940's or 1950's. It was apparently a real resort destination in its hay day. The lake became poisoned from lack of run off or something and now the place is a ghost town.

Can some one tell me the name of this lake, the town or such?

Answer 1

Are you thinking of Owens Lake?  It was dried up due to water diversion policies in the 20s (the movie Chinatown is based on this).  There was a nearby town called Keeler.  

Answer 2

I do believe that your looking at Kern Resvr in Kern County southern California. Lake is infected due to use of agriculture pesticides and fertilizers etc, Asian people working there have become ill eating the fish in the lake...