Lake Kaweah facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Lake Kaweah |
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 Lake Kaweah
Location in California
Lake Kaweah
Location in the United States
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| Location | Tulare County, California |
| Coordinates | 36°25′00″N 119°00′12″W / 36.416616°N 119.003436°W |
| Type | Reservoir |
| Primary inflows | Kaweah River |
| Primary outflows | Kaweah River |
| Catchment area | 560 sq mi (1,500 km2) |
| Basin countries | United States |
| Water volume | 185,000 acre⋅ft (228,000,000 m3) |
Lake Kaweah is a large reservoir (which is like a big, artificial lake) located near Lemon Cove in Tulare County, California. It was created by building the Terminus Dam across the Kaweah River. This river starts high up in the Sierra Nevada mountains.
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Lake Kaweah: A Big Water Storage Area
Lake Kaweah is an important place for managing water. It helps protect communities from floods. It also stores water for different uses. The lake can hold about 185,000 acre⋅ft (228,000,000 m3) of water.
Where is Lake Kaweah?
Lake Kaweah is found in Tulare County, California. It's close to a town called Lemon Cove. The lake is formed by the Kaweah River. This river begins its journey in the tall Sierra Nevada mountains. It flows down into the lake. After leaving Lake Kaweah, the river continues towards the city of Visalia. It then splits into two parts: the Kaweah River and the St. Johns River. These rivers eventually flow into the Tulare Lakebed.
Why Was Lake Kaweah Built?
The main reason Lake Kaweah was built is for flood control. This means it helps stop rivers from overflowing. It protects towns and farms downstream from too much water. The lake is often kept at a low level. This makes sure there is plenty of room for floodwaters.
How the Lake Helps with Floods
When heavy rains come, the lake fills up. The dam then releases water slowly. This controlled release prevents big floods. In 1997, there were huge floods. The lake filled and emptied twice to manage the water.
How Lake Kaweah Works
The lake's main job is flood control. Because of this, it is often kept very low or even empty. This happens for most of the year. It usually only fills up between May and June. When there are big rainstorms, the lake might fill up quickly. Sometimes, extra floodwater has to be released. This is done to make sure there is always space for more water.
Raising the Lake
In 2004, a project made the lake 21 ft (6.4 m) taller. This allowed it to hold an extra 42,000 acre⋅ft (52,000,000 m3) of water. This change helped increase flood protection. It made communities and farms safer from floods.
Fun Facts About Lake Kaweah
At the top end of Lake Kaweah, you'll find the small town of Three Rivers. This town is right at the entrance to Sequoia National Park. It's a great spot for nature lovers.
In 2007, a strong thunderstorm hit the lake. High winds broke loose the boat dock. About 200 boats were affected by this storm.
