Lake Del Valle facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Lake Del Valle |
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Lake Del Valle
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 Lake Del Valle
Location in California
Lake Del Valle
Location in the United States
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| Location | Alameda County, California |
| Coordinates | 37°35′54″N 121°43′16″W / 37.59833°N 121.72111°W |
| Type | reservoir |
| Basin countries | United States |
| Max. length | 5 miles (8.0 km) |
| Surface area | 708 acres (287 ha) |
| Max. depth | 153 feet (47 m) |
| Water volume | 77,100 acre-feet (95,100,000 m3) |
| Shore length1 | 16 miles (26 km) |
| Settlements | Livermore, California |
| 1 Shore length is not a well-defined measure. | |
Lake Del Valle is a large reservoir, which is like a big, human-made lake. It is located about 10 miles (16 km) southeast of Livermore. You can find it in Alameda County, California, inside Del Valle Regional Park.
Contents
Exploring Lake Del Valle
Lake Del Valle sits on a creek called Arroyo Valle. This name means "creek of the valley" in Spanish. The lake is nestled within the Diablo Range mountains.
How the Lake Was Made
Lake Del Valle was created by building a structure called the Del Valle Dam. This dam was finished in 1968. It helps to hold back the water and form the lake.
Why Lake Del Valle Is Important
The lake and its dam are a key part of the California State Water Project. This project helps move water around California. Lake Del Valle acts as a special storage area for the South Bay Aqueduct. This aqueduct is like a big pipeline that carries water to different places.
The lake can hold a lot of water, up to 77,000 acre-feet (95,000,000 m3). However, it usually stores between 37,000 to 52,000 acre-feet (46,000,000 to 64,000,000 m3). This is because some space is kept empty for flood control. This helps protect nearby areas from too much water during heavy rains.
Fun Activities at the Lake
Lake Del Valle is a very popular spot for outdoor activities. Many people enjoy visiting for fun. You can go hiking on the trails around the lake. Biking is also a great way to explore the area. Plus, it's a fantastic place for boating on the water.
Water Quality and Fishing Advice
There is another important water system nearby called the Hetch Hetchy Aqueduct. It actually passes underneath Lake Del Valle. However, the two water systems do not connect.
It's good to know that the California Office of Environmental Health Hazard Assessment has given some advice about fishing here. They suggest being careful about how much fish you eat from the lake. This is because of natural mercury levels that can be found in the fish. It's always smart to check local advisories for safe eating guidelines.
Understanding Del Valle Dam
The Del Valle Dam is a big structure that creates the lake. It's an important part of the water system.
Dam Dimensions and Structure
The dam is quite tall, standing at 230 feet (70 m) high. It's also very long, stretching 880 feet (270 m) across. The very top of the dam, called its crest, is 773 feet (236 m) above sea level. The dam is made from a huge amount of earth fill. It contains about 4,150,000 cubic yards (3,170,000 m3) of this material.
