Hollywood Reservoir facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Hollywood Reservoir |
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![]() Hollywood Reservoir behind Mulholland Dam (2008)
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Location | Hollywood Hills, Santa Monica Mountains, California, United States |
Coordinates | 34°07′04″N 118°19′52″W / 34.11778°N 118.33111°W |
Type | Reservoir |
Max. depth | 183 feet (56 m) |
Water volume | 2.5 billion US gallons (9,500,000 m3) |
The Hollywood Reservoir, also known as Lake Hollywood, is a large lake in the Hollywood Hills of Los Angeles, California. It sits within the Santa Monica Mountains, just north of the famous Hollywood neighborhood. This important reservoir helps store water for the city of Los Angeles.
The Los Angeles Department of Water and Power takes care of the reservoir. From a distance, you can see the famous Hollywood Sign overlooking the area. The reservoir was created in 1924 when the Mulholland Dam was built. This dam was a key part of the city's system for storing and supplying water.
The Hollywood Reservoir has even appeared in movies and TV shows! You might have seen it in the film Earthquake (1974). Its entrance was also shown in the opening of Halloween (1978). It was featured in an episode of Visiting... with Huell Howser and in the Season 4 opening of the TV series 9-1-1.
How the Reservoir Works
The Hollywood Reservoir can hold a lot of water. Its full capacity is about 7,900 acre-feet, which is like 2.5 billion US gallons. The deepest part of the reservoir is about 183 feet (56 meters). When it was first built, the water level often stayed very high.
However, things changed after a dam collapse elsewhere in 1928. To ensure public safety, the Hollywood Reservoir's water level was lowered. Engineers studied the dam's safety carefully. By 1931, the city decided to keep the reservoir permanently at a lower level. Today, it usually holds about 2,800 acre-feet of water.
Fun Activities at Lake Hollywood Park
The area around the reservoir is a popular spot for outdoor activities. It's known as Lake Hollywood Park. People love to come here for walking, hiking, and jogging.
There's a flat, paved road that goes all the way around the reservoir. This path is perfect for walking or riding a bicycle. The entire loop, called the Lake Hollywood Walking Trail, is about 3.5 miles (5.6 kilometers) long. It even crosses over the Mulholland Dam, offering great views.
