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Hollywood Reservoir
Lake Hollywood Reservoir by clinton steeds.jpg
Hollywood Reservoir behind Mulholland Dam (2008)
Hollywood Reservoir is located in California
Hollywood Reservoir
Hollywood Reservoir
Location in California
Location Hollywood Hills, Santa Monica Mountains, California, United States
Coordinates 34°07′04″N 118°19′52″W / 34.11778°N 118.33111°W / 34.11778; -118.33111
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 reservoir located in the Hollywood Hills, situated in the Santa Monica Mountains north of the Hollywood neighborhood of Los Angeles, California. It is maintained by the Los Angeles Department of Water and Power. The reservoir and surrounding neighborhood are overlooked by the Hollywood Sign.

The reservoir is created by the Mulholland Dam, built in 1924, designed by the Los Angeles Department of Water and Power, then named the Bureau of Water Works and Supply, as part of the city's water storage and supply system.

Hollywood Reservoir has appeared in films such as Chinatown (1974), where Hollis Mulwray is discovered dead along the shores, and Earthquake (1974).

Geography

The reservoir has a capacity of 7,900 acre-feet, which is 2.5 billion US gallons (9,500,000 m3) and a maximum water depth of 183 feet (56 m). During its first years in service the reservoir level varied, though for most of the time it was kept at a high level and was filled on several occasions. Within days after the collapse of the St. Francis Dam in March 1928, William Mulholland ordered the Hollywood Reservoir lowered due, in part, to public fears of a repeat disaster. Shortly after the disaster and in the years following, several engineering panels met to discuss the safety of the dam. These panels of engineers, from both the state and the LADWP came to differing conclusions. In 1931, the LADWP made the decision to permanently keep the Hollywood Reservoir lowered, and keep it to no more than 4,000 acre-feet (4,900,000 m3). The reservoir now is usually maintained at about 2,800 acre-feet (3,500,000 m3).

The surrounding recreational area is known as Lake Hollywood Park, and is open for walking, hiking, and jogging. The reservoir is encircled by a flat, paved road that is suitable for walking and bicycling.

Hollywood Reservoir
The Hollywood Reservoir and the Mulholland Dam, with the Hollywood Sign in the distance to the left (2015)

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