Hernandez Reservoir facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Hernandez Reservoir |
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View of Hernandez Reservoir from Laguna Mountain
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 Hernandez Reservoir
Location in California
Hernandez Reservoir
Location in the United States
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| Location | Diablo Range San Benito County, California |
| Coordinates | 36°23′02″N 120°49′25″W / 36.3838°N 120.8236°W |
| Type | Reservoir |
| Primary inflows | San Benito River Laguna Creek |
| Primary outflows | San Benito River |
| Catchment area | 85 square miles (220 km2) |
| Basin countries | United States |
| Surface area | 590 acres (240 ha) |
| Water volume | 18,000 acre-feet (22,000,000 m3) |
| Surface elevation | 735 m (2,411 ft) |
Hernandez Reservoir is a large, artificial lake located in San Benito County, California. It was created by building a dam to hold back the waters of the San Benito River. This important reservoir is found within the Diablo Mountain Range.
Contents
What is Hernandez Reservoir?
Hernandez Reservoir is not a natural lake. It's a special kind of lake built by people. Engineers and construction workers created it by building a dam across the San Benito River. This dam stops the river's water, causing it to collect and form a large body of water behind it.
This type of artificial lake is called a reservoir. Reservoirs are very important because they help us store water. They can hold huge amounts of water that can be used later for many different purposes.
Where is Hernandez Reservoir Located?
Hernandez Reservoir is located in the central part of California. You can find it in San Benito County, California, which is a county known for its beautiful natural areas. The reservoir sits within the Diablo Range, a long mountain chain in California.
The Diablo Range is part of the larger California Coast Ranges. This area has a Mediterranean climate, meaning it has warm, dry summers and mild, wet winters. The reservoir's location in these mountains helps it collect water from rainfall and snowmelt.
How Was This Reservoir Created?
Hernandez Reservoir was formed by building a dam on the San Benito River. A dam is a strong barrier built across a river to hold back water. When the dam was finished, the river's water began to fill the valley behind it, slowly creating the large lake we see today.
The main rivers that flow into Hernandez Reservoir are the San Benito River and Laguna Creek. These rivers bring fresh water from the surrounding mountains and valleys into the reservoir. The water then flows out of the reservoir, continuing its journey down the San Benito River.
Why is Hernandez Reservoir Important?
Hernandez Reservoir plays a vital role for the people and environment of San Benito County. It helps manage water resources in the region. Reservoirs like this one are built for several key reasons.
Water Supply and Flood Control
One of the most important jobs of Hernandez Reservoir is to store water. This stored water can be used for drinking, farming, and other needs, especially during dry seasons when natural water sources are low. It acts like a giant savings account for water.
Another crucial purpose of the reservoir is flood control. During heavy rains or when a lot of snow melts, rivers can swell and cause floods. The dam at Hernandez Reservoir can hold back this extra water. This helps protect towns and farms downstream from flooding.
Size and Capacity
Hernandez Reservoir is quite large. It covers an area of about 590 acres. That's roughly the size of 450 football fields! When it's full, it can hold about 18,000 acre-feet of water. An acre-foot is the amount of water needed to cover one acre of land to a depth of one foot. That's a lot of water!
The reservoir's elevation is about 735 meters (or 2,411 feet) above sea level. This high elevation helps with water distribution, as gravity can help move water to lower areas.
