La Grange Dam facts for kids
Quick facts for kids La Grange Dam |
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La Grange Reservoir from the top of the New Don Pedro Dam
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 Location of La Grange Dam
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| Official name | La Grange Dam |
| Location | La Grange, California |
| Coordinates | 37°40′19″N 120°26′39″W / 37.67194°N 120.44417°W |
| Opening date | 1883 |
| Owner(s) | Turlock Irrigation District and Modesto Irrigation District |
| Dam and spillways | |
| Type of dam | Masonry-gravity |
| Impounds | Tuolumne River |
| Height | 131 feet (40 m) |
| Length | 280 feet (85 m) |
| Spillway type | Inlet-drop |
| Reservoir | |
| Creates | La Grange Reservoir |
| Total capacity | 500 acre⋅ft (620,000 m3) |
| Catchment area | 1,546 sq mi (4,000 km2) |
| Surface area | 58 acres (23 ha) |
| Power station | |
| Turbines | 2 |
| Installed capacity | 4 MW |
| Annual generation | 18,000 kW h |
The La Grange Dam is a special kind of wall built across the Tuolumne River in California. It is a masonry-gravity diversion dam. This means it's made of strong stone or concrete and uses its own weight to hold back water.
The dam's main job is to send water to farms. Two groups, the Turlock Irrigation District and Modesto Irrigation District, finished building it in 1883. They wanted to make sure local farmers had enough water for their crops.
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What Does the La Grange Dam Do?
The La Grange Dam is located a short distance below the much bigger New Don Pedro Dam. It helps control the water flowing out of the New Don Pedro Dam. It also takes water from the larger reservoir and sends it into two big canals. These canals are on both sides of the river.
Water for Farms and Cities
Every year, a huge amount of water, about 885,000 acre-feet (1.092×109 m3), is sent through the La Grange Dam. Most of this water is used to help crops grow in the Turlock and Modesto areas. About 575,000 acre-feet (709,000,000 m3) goes to Turlock Lake. Another 310,000 acre-feet (380,000,000 m3) goes to Modesto Reservoir.
Some of the water, about 230,000 acre-feet (280,000,000 m3), even travels to San Francisco. This water is part of the Hetch Hetchy Water and Power system. It helps provide drinking water and power for the city.
Keeping the River Healthy
The dam also makes sure enough water stays in the Tuolumne River. About 780,000 acre-feet (960,000,000 m3) of water is released back into the river. This helps keep the river flowing for about 52 miles (84 km). The water travels all the way to the San Joaquin River and then into the Sacramento-San Joaquin Delta. This is important for the environment and wildlife in the river.
Generating Electricity
The La Grange Dam also helps make electricity. It sends water to a small power station located on the east side of the Tuolumne River. This station uses the force of the water to create hydroelectric power.
The power station can produce 4 megawatts (MW) of electricity. It is operated by the Turlock Irrigation District. This clean energy helps power homes and businesses in the area.
