Bouquet Reservoir facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Bouquet Reservoir |
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 Bouquet Reservoir
Location in the Los Angeles metropolitan area
Bouquet Reservoir
Location in California
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| Location | Angeles National Forest Los Angeles County, California |
| Coordinates | 34°34′55″N 118°22′48″W / 34.5819°N 118.3799°W |
| Lake type | Reservoir |
| Primary inflows | Bouquet Creek Los Angeles Aqueduct |
| Primary outflows | Bouquet Creek |
| Catchment area | 13.6 sq mi (35 km2) |
| Basin countries | United States |
| Max. length | 1.5 km (0.93 mi) |
| Max. width | 3 km (1.9 mi) |
| Surface area | 628 acres (254 ha) |
| Water volume | 36,500 acre⋅ft (45,000,000 m3) |
| Surface elevation | 915 m (3,002 ft) |
Bouquet Reservoir is a man-made lake located in the Angeles National Forest in Los Angeles County, California. It's about 15 miles (24 km) west of the city of Palmdale. This important reservoir helps store water for the city of Los Angeles.
Contents
What is Bouquet Reservoir?
Bouquet Reservoir is a large, artificial lake. It sits at an elevation of about 2,993 feet (915 meters) high in the Sierra Pelona Mountains. The reservoir can hold a huge amount of water, about 36,500 acre-feet (45 million cubic meters).
How the Reservoir Was Formed
The reservoir was created by building a structure called the Bouquet Canyon Dam. This dam was built across Bouquet Creek. Bouquet Creek is a smaller stream that flows into the Santa Clara River.
The Dam's Structure
The dam itself is made of earthfill, which means it's built from compacted soil and rocks. It stands 190 feet (58 meters) tall. This height is measured from the original streambed where Bouquet Creek used to flow.
History and Purpose
The city of Los Angeles built the Bouquet Canyon Dam. Construction finished in 1934. The official opening ceremony for the reservoir happened on March 28, 1934.
Part of the Los Angeles Aqueduct
Bouquet Reservoir is a key part of the Los Angeles Aqueduct system. This aqueduct is a long series of pipes and canals that brings water from far away to Los Angeles. The reservoir gets much of its water from this aqueduct. Both the reservoir and the aqueduct system are owned by the Los Angeles Department of Water and Power. This department manages the water supply for Los Angeles.
Why is it Important?
The area around the reservoir, called its drainage basin, is quite small. It's only about 13.6 square miles (35 square kilometers). The average rainfall there is also not very high, usually between 14 and 20 inches (36-51 cm) per year.
The main purpose of Bouquet Reservoir is to store water. It helps control how much water is released into the system. It also acts as a backup water supply. If there's a problem with the aqueduct upstream, the reservoir can still provide water.
