Indian Valley Reservoir facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Indian Valley Reservoir |
|
|---|---|
 |
|
 Indian Valley Reservoir
Location in California
Indian Valley Reservoir
Location in the United States
|
|
| Location | Lake County, California, United States |
| Coordinates | 39°04′50″N 122°32′05″W / 39.08045°N 122.5347°W |
| Lake type | Reservoir |
| Primary inflows | North Fork of Cache Creek Stanton Creek |
| Primary outflows | North Fork of Cache Creek |
| Catchment area | 122 sq mi (320 km2) |
| Basin countries | United States |
| Max. length | 10 km (6.2 mi) |
| Max. width | 2 km (1.2 mi) |
| Surface area | 4,000 acres (1,600 ha) |
| Water volume | 301,000 acre⋅ft (371,000,000 m3) |
| Shore length1 | 35 km (22 mi) |
| Surface elevation | 433 m (1,421 ft) |
| 1 Shore length is not a well-defined measure. | |
Indian Valley Reservoir is a large, man-made lake located in Lake County, California. It is about 27 miles (43 km) west of Williams, close to State Route 20. This reservoir holds a huge amount of water, about 301,000 acre-feet (371 million cubic meters).
The lake was created in 1975 when the Indian Valley Dam was built. This dam stretches across the North Fork of Cache Creek. The dam is 965 feet (294 meters) long and 201 feet (61 meters) high. It is an earth-fill dam, meaning it's made mostly of compacted earth. The main reasons for building the dam were to store water, help irrigate farms, and control floods.
Even though the reservoir is in Lake County, it was built by Yolo County. Yolo County owns all the rights to the water stored in the reservoir. The dam also has a special part called a hydroelectric plant. This plant uses the force of the water to generate electricity. Building the dam and reservoir cost over $9 million. This money came from different sources, including special bonds.
Contents
Fun Activities at Indian Valley Reservoir
Indian Valley Reservoir is a great place for outdoor fun. It is part of the Walker Ridge Recreation Area, which is managed by the Bureau of Land Management. Many different activities are allowed here, making it a popular spot for visitors.
Outdoor Adventures
You can enjoy many exciting activities at the reservoir. These include boating on the water and camping overnight. It's also a fantastic place for fishing, hunting, and hiking on trails. If you like to ride, you can go bicycling or horseback riding.
Camping Spots
For those who love to camp, there are two simple campgrounds available. These are called Blue Oaks and Kowalski. They are considered "primitive" campgrounds, which means they have fewer facilities. You can reach them by boat or by hiking in.
Plants and Animals of the Area
The area around Indian Valley Reservoir is home to many interesting plants and animals. It's a great place to see nature up close.
Trees and Shrubs
You will find different types of trees and shrubs growing here. Common plants include manzanita, which has smooth, reddish bark. There are also many oak and pine trees. These trees provide shade and homes for wildlife.
Wildlife You Might See
The reservoir and its surrounding lands are home to various animals. You might spot blacktail deer roaming through the trees. Black bears also live in this area. If you are lucky, you might even see wild turkeys.
Rare and Special Plants
Some very special and rare plants grow near Indian Valley Reservoir. These include the Indian Valley Brodiaea. Another unique flower found here is the Adobe lily. These plants are important to protect because they are not found in many other places.
Images for kids
-
Fluctuations in water level vary by year as seen at the boat ramp at the northern end of the lake.
