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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 Hollywood Reservoir
Location in California
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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) |
Hollywood Reservoir, also known as Lake Hollywood, is a large reservoir located in the Hollywood Hills. This area is part of the Santa Monica Mountains, just north of the famous Hollywood neighborhood in Los Angeles, California. It is an important part of the city's water system. The Los Angeles Department of Water and Power takes care of the reservoir. If you visit, you might even see the famous Hollywood Sign overlooking the area!
The reservoir was created by building the Mulholland Dam in 1924. This dam was designed by the Los Angeles Department of Water and Power, which was then called the Bureau of Water Works and Supply. It was built to help store water for the growing city of Los Angeles.
Hollywood Reservoir has even appeared in movies! For example, it was seen in Chinatown (1974) and Earthquake (1974).
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).
Keeping Water Levels Safe
When the reservoir was first built, its water level changed a lot. Sometimes it was kept very full. However, after a different dam, the St. Francis Dam, had problems in 1928, people became worried. To make sure everyone felt safe, the Hollywood Reservoir's water level was lowered.
Engineers from the state and the water department studied the dam's safety. In 1931, a decision was made to keep the Hollywood Reservoir at a lower level permanently. Now, it is usually kept at about 2,800 acre-feet (3.5 million cubic meters) of water. This helps ensure safety for the surrounding communities.
Enjoying the Area
The area around the reservoir is a great place for outdoor activities. It's known as Lake Hollywood Park. People love to go walking, hiking, and jogging here.
There's a flat, paved road that goes all the way around the reservoir. It's perfect for a leisurely walk or a bike ride. It's a wonderful spot to enjoy nature and get some exercise.
Images for kids
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View from hiking road
