Clifton Court Forebay facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Clifton Court Forebay |
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 Clifton Court Forebay
Location in California
Clifton Court Forebay
Location in the United States
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| Location | San Joaquin River Delta Contra Costa County, California |
| Coordinates | 37°49′48″N 121°33′24″W / 37.8299°N 121.5568°W |
| Type | Reservoir |
| Primary inflows | Old River |
| Primary outflows | California Aqueduct Delta–Mendota Canal |
| Catchment area | 6 square miles (16 km2) |
| Basin countries | United States |
| Max. length | 2.5 miles (4.0 km) |
| Max. width | 2 miles (3.2 km) |
| Surface area | 2,500 acres (1,000 ha) |
| Average depth | 10 m (33 ft) |
| Max. depth | 20 m (66 ft) |
| Water volume | 29,000 acre⋅ft (36 hm3) |
| Residence time | 4 months |
| Surface elevation | 3 feet (0.91 m) |
Clifton Court Forebay is a large, man-made lake called a reservoir. It's located in the San Joaquin River Delta area of eastern Contra Costa County, California. This important water spot is about 17 mi (27 km) southwest of Stockton. The area where the forebay sits is only about 1 to 3 meters (3 to 10 feet) above sea level.
What is Clifton Court Forebay For?
Clifton Court Forebay was built in 1969. It was created by flooding a huge area of land, about 2,200-acre (890 ha) big. This project was part of the California State Water Project, which helps move water around the state.
The forebay acts like a giant funnel. It's the starting point for the California Aqueduct, which carries water all the way to Southern California. It also feeds the Delta–Mendota Canal. This canal helps refill river systems in the San Joaquin Valley, which is a big farming area. So, the forebay plays a key role in getting water to many people and farms in California.
Earthquakes and the Water Supply
The area around Clifton Court Forebay can experience earthquakes. If a very strong earthquake happens nearby, it could seriously affect California's water system. This system provides water for farming and for cities.
Some past earthquakes have come very close to causing big problems for the forebay. For example, the 2014 South Napa earthquake and the 1989 Loma Prieta earthquake almost shut down the forebay's water intake system. This shows how important it is to protect this area.
The Clifton Court Forebay area used to be a natural wetland. In the past, small rivers here would drain into the Pacific Ocean. But more recently, this natural water flow was changed. Now, the area is used to collect and store freshwater. This water is then sent to other parts of California.
