Lake Tulloch facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Lake Tulloch |
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 Lake Tulloch
Location in California
Lake Tulloch
Location in the United States
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| Location | Tuolumne County, California |
| Coordinates | 37°53′46″N 120°35′10″W / 37.896°N 120.586°W |
| Surface area | 1,260 acres (510 ha) |
| Surface elevation | 504 feet (154 m) |
Lake Tulloch is a beautiful lake located in Copperopolis, California. It's special because it's one of the few lakes in California where people can own houses right on the shoreline! The lake is about 504 feet above sea level and covers an area of 1,260 acres. Lake Tulloch is important because it provides water for farms and homes, and it also helps create electricity for people across the state.
How Lake Tulloch Started
The story of Lake Tulloch began in the 1880s with a man named Charles H. Tulloch. He bought a small ditch and the rights to use water from it in the Central Valley of California. This ditch was first made by miners to help them find gold.
Later, local farmers realized the ditch could be a great way to water their crops. They worked together to make the ditch wider. This helped them water about 6,000 acres of farmland in Oakdale and South San Joaquin.
In July 1910, two groups, the Oakdale Irrigation District (OID) and the South San Joaquin Irrigation District (SSJID), bought the water rights from Tulloch for $650,000. These groups then got permission to start the "Tulloch Project." This project allowed them to build and operate the lake and dam. They received a license from the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) in 1955. This license was later renewed in 2006, allowing them to continue operating the project until 2046.
The Tri-Dam Project
Lake Tulloch is part of a bigger system called the "Tri-Dam Project." This project includes three dams: Donnells Dam, Beardsley Dam, and Tulloch Dam. All three are located in Tuolumne County, California, on the Middle Fork of the Stanislaus River.
The OID and SSJID worked together to build all parts of the Tri-Dam Project. The Donnells Reservoir, Beardsley Reservoir, and Lake Tulloch were all ready to go just two years after the plan was agreed upon in 1955.
The Tri-Dam Project was built to help water farms. In the 1980s, they also added small power plants to the dams. These plants use the force of water to create electricity, which is called hydroelectric power. Today, the Turlock Irrigation District manages these power plants.
The Tri-Dam Project includes the dams, tunnels, and buildings needed to make and send out electricity. The main offices for the project are in Strawberry, California. A General Manager oversees the daily work of the Tri-Dam Project and the Tri-Dam Power. This manager reports to a board of five directors.
Fun Activities at the Lake
Lake Tulloch is a popular spot for many fun activities for both visitors and people who live nearby. You can enjoy boating, fishing, swimming, and camping here.
At the South Lake Tulloch RV Campground and Marina, there are many places to stay. You can find cabins right on the lake, spots for RVs with electricity, and tent sites with water, picnic tables, and fire pits. There are also bathrooms, showers, and a laundromat for everyone to use.
The campground also has a restaurant, a general store for supplies, a gas dock for boats, and places where you can rent boats.
If you like fishing, Lake Tulloch is a great place! You can often catch different kinds of fish like Rainbow Trout, Brown Trout, Largemouth Bass, Smallmouth Bass, Catfish, Crappie, and Bluegill.
