Beardsley Dam facts for kids
The Beardsley Dam is a big dam located in Tuolumne County, California. It sits on the Middle Fork of the Stanislaus River. This area is part of the beautiful Stanislaus National Forest. The dam was finished in 1957. It plays an important role in providing power and water to the region.
About Beardsley Dam
The Beardsley Dam is an earthen dam. This means it is built mostly from earth, rock, and clay. It stands about 284 feet (86.6 meters) tall. The top of the dam stretches for 1,000 feet (305 meters).
What the Dam Does
The main jobs of Beardsley Dam are to create hydroelectric power and store water for irrigation.
- Hydroelectric power: This is electricity made from moving water. The dam holds back water, creating a big lake. When water is released, it flows through large turbines. These turbines spin generators to make electricity.
- Irrigation: This means supplying water to farms. The water stored behind the dam is used to help crops grow in nearby farming areas.
The dam is part of a bigger system called the Stanislaus River Tri-Dam project. This project is owned by two groups: the Oakdale Irrigation District and the South San Joaquin Irrigation District. They work together to manage the water and power.
Beardsley Lake: A Fun Place
The dam creates a large lake called Beardsley Lake. This lake covers about 1.1 square miles (2.8 square kilometers) when full. It can hold a lot of water, about 97,800 acre-feet. An acre-foot is the amount of water needed to cover one acre of land with water one foot deep.
Beardsley Lake is also a popular spot for outdoor fun! People enjoy:
- Camping
- Fishing
- Boating
It's a great place to visit and enjoy nature in the Stanislaus National Forest.
