Casitas Dam facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Casitas Dam |
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| Location | Ventura County, California |
| Coordinates | 34°22′42″N 119°19′51″W / 34.3783°N 119.3309°W |
| Construction began | 1956 |
| Opening date | 1959 |
| Operator(s) | Bureau of Reclamation |
| Dam and spillways | |
| Impounds | Coyote Creek |
| Height | 334 ft (102 m) |
| Length | 2,000 ft (610 m) |
| Reservoir | |
| Creates | Lake Casitas |
| Total capacity | 254,000 acre⋅ft (313,000,000 m3) |
| Catchment area | 39 sq mi (100 km2) |
| Surface area | 2,700 acres (1,100 ha) |
The Casitas Dam is a large structure built across Coyote Creek in Ventura County, California. This dam creates a big lake called Lake Casitas. It is located near Oak View, California, about two miles (3 km) from where Coyote Creek meets the Ventura River. Water from the Ventura River can also be sent into Lake Casitas.
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What is Casitas Dam?
Casitas Dam is an earthfill dam. This means it is built mostly from natural materials like soil, sand, clay, and rock. These materials are carefully packed together to form a strong barrier. The dam stands about 334 feet (102 meters) tall. It was built by the U.S. Bureau of Reclamation, which is a government agency that manages water resources. The dam is a very important part of the Ventura River Project, which helps manage water in the area.
Why Was the Dam Built?
Construction of Casitas Dam began in 1956 and was finished in 1959. Its main purpose is to store water in Lake Casitas. This water is then used for two important things:
- Irrigation: This means providing water to farms to help crops grow.
- Municipal uses: This means supplying water to homes and businesses in towns and cities for daily needs like drinking, washing, and cleaning.
The Casitas Municipal Water District manages how this water is used.
Keeping the Dam Safe
Dams are very important structures, so they need to be strong and safe. From June to December 2000, Casitas Dam was made even stronger. This was a "seismic improvement." Seismic means related to earthquakes. The improvements were done to help the dam withstand strong earthquakes, especially those stronger than a 6.5 magnitude. This makes sure the dam remains safe and continues to provide water to the community.
Lake Casitas
Lake Casitas is the reservoir, or artificial lake, formed by the Casitas Dam. It can hold a huge amount of water, about 254,000 acre-feet (313 million cubic meters). An acre-foot is the amount of water needed to cover one acre of land to a depth of one foot. The lake's surface covers about 2,700 acres (11 square kilometers). It collects water from a "catchment" area of about 39 square miles (101 square kilometers). This means all the rain and runoff from that area flows into the lake.
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Casitas Dam
