C. J. Strike Dam facts for kids
Quick facts for kids C.J. Strike Dam |
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|---|---|
| Location | Elmore / Owyhee counties, Idaho |
| Coordinates | 42°56′54″N 115°58′30″W / 42.94833°N 115.97500°W |
| Construction began | 1950 |
| Opening date | 1952 |
| Operator(s) | Idaho Power Company |
| Dam and spillways | |
| Impounds | Snake River |
| Height | 115 feet (35 m) |
| Length | 3,220 feet (981 m) |
| Reservoir | |
| Creates | C. J. Strike Reservoir |
| Total capacity | 247,000 acre-feet (305,000,000 m3) |
| Catchment area | 40,800 sq mi (105,672 km²) |
| Surface area | 7,500 acres (30 km²) |
The C. J. Strike Dam is a large dam on the Snake River in Idaho, near a town called Grand View, Idaho. It's an earth-fill dam, which means it's built mostly from earth and rock. This dam helps create electricity and forms a big lake called the C. J. Strike Reservoir.
The reservoir stretches for about 36 miles (58 km) up the Snake River and 12 miles (19 km) up the Bruneau River.
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What is C.J. Strike Dam?
The C.J. Strike Dam is a special kind of dam called a hydroelectric dam. This means it uses the power of moving water to make electricity. The dam was built by the Idaho Power Company.
How the Dam Makes Power
The power plant at the dam can create a lot of electricity. It has a nameplate capacity of 82.8 megawatts (MW). This is the maximum amount of power it's designed to produce. That's enough energy to power many homes and businesses!
Who Was C.J. Strike?
The dam is named after Clifford J. Strike. He was an important person at the Idaho Power Company. Mr. Strike served as the company's general manager from 1938 to 1948.
Fish and the Dam
Dams can sometimes block fish from moving up and down rivers. This is especially true for anadromous fish. These are fish, like salmon, that are born in fresh water, live in the ocean, and then return to fresh water to lay their eggs.
Why Fish Can't Pass
The C.J. Strike Dam was built without special ways for fish to pass through it. This was because another dam downstream, the Swan Falls Dam, already made it hard for fish to pass. So, these two dams together became the first big block for fish trying to swim up the Snake River. Today, the Hells Canyon Dam is the first complete barrier to fish on the Snake River.
Fun Things to Do at the Dam
The area around C.J. Strike Dam and its reservoir is a popular spot for outdoor activities. Many people visit to enjoy nature and have fun.
Fishing Adventures
It's a very popular place for fishing. You can catch many different kinds of fish here. Some of the fish you might find include:
- Trout
- Smallmouth Bass
- Largemouth Bass
- Crappie
- Perch
- Bluegill
- Sturgeon
Fishing tournaments are often held at the reservoir during the fishing season.
Camping and Recreation
Around the dam, you'll find several places to camp. There are also boat launches, docks, and hiking trails to explore. These areas are great for spending time outdoors with family and friends.
In 2008 and 2009, many improvements were made to the campgrounds. These changes included:
- Adding special spots for RVs (recreational vehicles).
- Improving the docks for boats.
- Making areas easier to access for everyone.
- Adding more parking spaces.
- Upgrading the restrooms in the campgrounds.
