Bear Gulch Reservoir facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Bear Gulch Reservoir |
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 Bear Gulch Reservoir
Location in California
Bear Gulch Reservoir
Location in the United States
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| Location | Woodside, California |
| Coordinates | 37°25′57″N 122°13′34″W / 37.43250°N 122.22611°W |
| Type | Reservoir |
| Basin countries | United States |
| Average depth | 100 ft (30 m) |
| Max. depth | 295 ft (90 m) |
| Surface elevation | 203 ft (62 m) |
Bear Gulch Reservoir is a large reservoir located in Woodside, California. It's like a giant storage tank for water! This reservoir is super important because it holds water for the Bear Gulch District of the California Water Service. It can store about 215 million US gallons (810,000 m3) of water, which is a huge amount. This water helps provide drinking water to over 55,000 people! The reservoir gets its water from two dams on a nearby stream called Bear Creek.
Contents
What is Bear Gulch Reservoir?
A reservoir is an artificial lake used to store water. Bear Gulch Reservoir is a key part of the water supply system for many homes and businesses. It helps make sure people have clean water for drinking, cooking, and washing.
Why Can't We Visit?
Bear Gulch Reservoir is a source of drinking water. To keep our drinking water clean and safe, the reservoir is not usually open to the public. This helps prevent pollution and keeps the water pure for everyone.
However, there is a special event each year! The reservoir hosts a day of fishing and picnicking for children from the Ronald McDonald House in nearby Palo Alto, California. It's a wonderful way for these children to enjoy the outdoors.
Wildlife Around the Reservoir
Even though people can't visit often, many animals live around the reservoir. Sometimes, you might spot wild animals like mountain lions and bobcats in the area.
The area around Bear Gulch Creek has an interesting name story. Back in 1850, a man was working with logs when he was attacked by a grizzly bear that had cubs. This event led to the name "Bear Gulch."
Important Safety Information
The dam that holds back the water in the reservoir is very strong. However, if the dam were ever to fail, parts of Woodside and nearby West Menlo Park could be flooded. Engineers regularly check the dam to make sure it is safe and secure.
Don't Get Confused!
It's good to know that there is another reservoir with the same name. That other Bear Gulch Reservoir is located inside Pinnacles National Park. So, if you hear about "Bear Gulch Reservoir," make sure you know which one people are talking about!
