Eastman Lake facts for kids
Quick facts for kids H. V. Eastman Lake |
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 H. V. Eastman Lake
Location in California
H. V. Eastman Lake
Location in the United States
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| Location | Madera / Mariposa counties, California, United States |
| Coordinates | 37°13′00″N 119°59′03″W / 37.2166°N 119.9843°W |
| Lake type | Reservoir |
| Primary inflows | Chowchilla River |
| Primary outflows | |
| Basin countries | United States |
| Surface area | 1,780 acres (720 ha) |
| Surface elevation | 138 m (453 ft) |
H. V. Eastman Lake is a special kind of lake that was made by people. It was created when a dam called Buchanan Dam was built across the Chowchilla River. This lake is mostly in Madera County, California, but a small part of it reaches into Mariposa County.
The Buchanan Dam was finished in 1975. Its main jobs are to help control floods and provide water for farms. The United States Army Corps of Engineers, a group that builds and manages many public works projects, owns and operates this dam.
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What is Eastman Lake?
Eastman Lake is an artificial lake, which means it's a body of water created by humans, not by nature. It was formed by building a large dam to hold back river water. The lake is located in the foothills of California.
Where is Eastman Lake?
You can find Eastman Lake in central California. Most of the lake is in Madera County, California. A smaller part of it extends into Mariposa County. It's a key part of the local water system.
Building Buchanan Dam
Buchanan Dam is the structure that holds back the water to create Eastman Lake. It's an important part of the area's water management.
Why Was the Dam Built?
The dam was built for two main reasons:
- Flood Control: It helps stop the Chowchilla River from overflowing its banks during heavy rains. This protects homes and farms downstream.
- Irrigation: The dam stores water that can be used to water crops in dry seasons. This helps farmers grow food.
Who Built and Manages the Dam?
The United States Army Corps of Engineers built Buchanan Dam. They are a government agency that works on many projects, like building dams and improving waterways. They still own and operate the dam today.
How Big is Buchanan Dam?
Buchanan Dam is an earthen dam, meaning it's made mostly of compacted earth. It stands about 218 feet (66 meters) tall. The top of the dam, called the crest, is 1,746 feet (532 meters) long. The lake behind it can hold a lot of water, up to 150,000 acre-feet. An acre-foot is the amount of water needed to cover one acre of land with water one foot deep. That's a huge amount of water!
