Lafayette Reservoir facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Lafayette Reservoir |
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Lafayette Reservoir
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 Lafayette Reservoir
Location in California
Lafayette Reservoir
Location in the United States
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| Coordinates | 37°53′04″N 122°08′20″W / 37.884369°N 122.138854°W |
| Managing agency | East Bay Municipal Utility District (EBMUD) |
| Built | 1933 |
| Surface area | 126 acres (51 ha) |
| Water volume | 1.4 billion US gallons (5,300,000 m3) |
| Settlements | Lafayette and Orinda, California |
The Lafayette Reservoir is a large, human-made lake in Contra Costa County, California. It was built to store water for people living in the East Bay Municipal Utility District (EBMUD) area. The reservoir was finished in 1933. At first, it was only meant to be a backup water supply.
However, in 1966, EBMUD decided to open the reservoir for everyone to enjoy. It's located near California State Route 24 and the Lafayette BART station. This spot is open all year for fun outdoor activities. You can go hiking, jogging, fishing, boating, and have picnics here. The reservoir sits right on the border between the cities of Lafayette and Orinda. The entire area covers about 925-acre (3.74 km2) and holds 1.4 billion US gallons (5,300,000 m3) of water.
Contents
Building the Reservoir
Construction of the Lafayette Reservoir began in 1928. Workers built the dam using a lot of earth. They added this earth very quickly, which caused some problems. As they were pouring concrete for the dam's base, the ground underneath started to shift. The dam itself reportedly moved 200 yards (180 m) and sank 26 feet (7.9 m) in just a few days in September.
Redesigning the Dam
Because of this movement, EBMUD engineers had to quickly change their plans. They decided to make the reservoir much smaller, about one-third of its original size. They also stopped construction for three years to see if the ground would settle more. This new design worked, and the dam was finally completed in 1933.
An observation tower was built at one corner of the lake. Because the dam was redesigned to be smaller, the tower now looks very tall for its purpose. You can only reach the top by climbing metal rungs on its side. This means the small observation room is usually empty. Its old doors have even turned green from being exposed to the weather.
Planting Trees for Stability
In 1935, a government program called the Soil Conservation Service (SCS) started planting trees around the reservoir. They planted 5,000 Monterey pine seedlings near San Pablo Reservoir, and many of these were used to help stabilize the slopes around Lafayette Reservoir. By 1940, about 57,000 trees had been planted around all of EBMUD's reservoirs. Now, after 80 years, some of these Monterey pines are getting old and are being removed as part of a tree thinning program.
Fun Activities at the Reservoir
Lafayette Reservoir is a great place for outdoor fun!
Boating and Trails
You can rent rowboats and pedal boats at the reservoir. If you have your own small boat, like a rowboat, canoe, kayak, or small sailboat, you can bring it. Just make sure it's carried on top of your car, as boats with gasoline engines are not allowed.
There are two main trails for walking or running:
- The Lakeside Trail is a paved path that goes around the reservoir. It's about 2.7 miles long.
- The Rim Trail is a more challenging dirt path that goes through the hills surrounding the reservoir. It's about 4.5 miles long.
Picnics and Play Areas
The reservoir has picnic areas that you can reserve for large groups, like families, friends, or companies. These areas can hold 50 or even 200 people. There are also many individual tables and barbecues for smaller groups. Kids will love the large play area, which offers lots of lively fun. The park also has restrooms and a special fishing dock that is easy for people with disabilities to access, with parking nearby.
Fishing Information
The California Office of Environmental Health Hazard Assessment (OEHHA) has given advice about eating fish from Lafayette Reservoir. This is because small amounts of mercury and PCBs have been found in some fish here. The advisory helps you know how much black bass, rainbow trout, channel catfish, and goldfish are safe to eat.
Images for kids
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Aerial view with Mount Diablo
