Elderberry Forebay Dam facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Elderberry Forebay Dam |
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|---|---|
| Location | Los Angeles County, California |
| Coordinates | 34°33′43″N 118°37′51″W / 34.56194°N 118.63083°W |
| Opening date | 1974 |
| Dam and spillways | |
| Type of dam | Earthfill |
| Impounds | Castaic Creek |
| Height | 179 ft (55 m) |
| Length | 1,935 ft (590 m) |
| Elevation at crest | 1,550 ft (470 m) |
| Width (base) | 25 ft (7.6 m) |
| Dam volume | 5,896,950 cu yd (4,508,540 m3) |
| Reservoir | |
| Creates | Elderberry Forebay |
| Total capacity | 28,400 acre⋅ft (35,000 dam3) |
| Catchment area | 81.6 sq mi (211 km2) |
| Surface area | 450 acres (180 ha) |
| Normal elevation | 1,519 ft (463 m) |
The Elderberry Forebay Dam is a large structure located in the Sierra Pelona Mountains. These mountains are in the northwestern part of Los Angeles County, California. This dam acts like a giant wall, separating two important bodies of water: Elderberry Forebay and Castaic Lake.
The dam plays a very important role in generating electricity. It helps power a facility called the Castaic Power Plant.
What is the Elderberry Forebay Dam?
The Elderberry Forebay Dam is an earthfill dam. This means it is built mostly from compacted earth and rock. It stands about 179 feet (55 meters) tall. The dam stretches for 1,935 feet (590 meters) across the landscape.
The dam was finished in 1974. Its main job is to create a special reservoir called Elderberry Forebay. This reservoir is like a holding tank for water.
How Does it Help Make Electricity?
The Elderberry Forebay Dam is a key part of a system that creates electricity using water. This system is called pumped-storage hydroelectricity. Here is how it generally works:
- When there is extra electricity, powerful pumps move water from a lower lake (Castaic Lake) up to a higher reservoir (Elderberry Forebay).
- When electricity is needed, the water from the higher reservoir is released. It flows downhill through large pipes.
- As the water rushes down, it spins giant turbines. These turbines are connected to generators.
- The spinning generators then create electricity!
This system is very clever because it can store energy like a giant battery. It uses water to save energy when it's not needed and release it quickly when it is.
Part of a Bigger Plan
The Elderberry Forebay Dam is not just a standalone structure. It is an important part of a much larger system called the California State Water Project. This huge project was built to move water from northern California to drier parts of central and southern California.
The California State Water Project helps provide drinking water for millions of people. It also supplies water for farms and industries. The Elderberry Forebay Dam helps manage this water. It ensures that the Castaic Power Plant can generate clean electricity. This helps keep homes and businesses powered across the state.
