Falls Lake facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Falls Lake |
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 Falls Lake
Location in North Carolina
Falls Lake
Location in the United States
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| Location | Durham / Wake / Granville counties, North Carolina, US |
| Coordinates | 36°1′N 78°43′W / 36.017°N 78.717°W |
| Lake type | reservoir |
| Primary inflows | Eno River, Flat River, Little River |
| Primary outflows | Neuse River |
| Basin countries | United States |
| Surface area | 12,410 acres (5,000 ha) |
| Shore length1 | 175 miles (280 km) |
| Surface elevation | 250 feet (76 m) |
| 1 Shore length is not a well-defined measure. | |
Falls Lake is a large lake in North Carolina, United States. It's not a natural lake, but a special kind of lake called a reservoir. This means it was created by building a big dam across a river. Falls Lake helps provide drinking water for nearby cities like Raleigh. It also helps prevent floods and is a great place for outdoor fun and wildlife!
Falls Lake: A Special North Carolina Lake
Falls Lake is a huge reservoir in North Carolina. It covers about 12,410 acres, which is like 9,400 football fields! It stretches across parts of Durham, Wake, and Granville counties. The lake is fed by three rivers: the Eno, Little, and Flat rivers. Its water then flows into the Neuse River.
The lake got its name from the "Falls of the Neuse." This was a part of the river where the water used to rush over rocks. When the lake was built, this area became covered by water.
Why Was Falls Lake Built?
Falls Lake was built for several important reasons:
- Drinking Water: It provides clean drinking water for many communities nearby, including the city of Raleigh.
- Flood Control: Before the lake, the Neuse River would often flood. These floods caused a lot of damage to roads, farms, and buildings. The dam helps control the river's flow and prevents these floods.
- Recreation: The lake is a popular spot for people to enjoy outdoor activities.
- Wildlife Habitat: It provides a home for many different kinds of animals and plants.
Building the Dam
Work on the big dam that holds back the water for Falls Lake started in 1978. It took three years to build and was finished in 1981. The United States Army Corps of Engineers built and now manages the dam.
The dam is made of earth and is very strong. It is about 1,915 feet long, which is longer than six football fields! It stands about 92.5 feet tall above the riverbed.
