Lewiston Dam (California) facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Lewiston Dam |
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| Official name | Lewiston Dam |
| Location | Trinity County, California, United States |
| Coordinates | 40°43′30″N 122°47′46″W / 40.72500°N 122.79611°W |
| Opening date | 1963 |
| Operator(s) | US Bureau of Reclamation |
| Dam and spillways | |
| Impounds | Trinity River |
| Height | 91 ft (28 m) |
| Length | 745 ft (227 m) |
| Reservoir | |
| Creates | Lewiston Lake |
| Total capacity | 14,660 acre-feet (18,080 dam3) |
| Catchment area | 718 sq mi (1,860 km2) |
| Surface area | 759 acres (307 ha) |
| Power station | |
| Installed capacity | 350 KW |
| Annual generation | 3,335,000 KWh |
The Lewiston Dam is a large earth-filled wall built across the Trinity River in California, United States. It helps create a lake called Lewiston Lake. This dam is located near a town called Weaverville, California.
The Lewiston Dam is an important part of a much bigger system. This system is known as the Central Valley Project. It helps manage water for many uses across California.
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Lewiston Dam: A Key Part of California's Water System
Lewiston Dam is a special type of dam called an earthfill dam. This means it is built mostly from compacted earth and rock. It stands about 91 feet (28 meters) tall. The dam stretches 745 feet (227 meters) across the river.
The U.S. Bureau of Reclamation built this dam. Construction finished in 1963. Its main job is to help control the flow of the Trinity River. It also plays a big role in storing water.
Lewiston Lake: Water Storage for Many Uses
Behind the Lewiston Dam is Lewiston Lake. This lake acts like a giant bathtub. It can hold a lot of water. The lake's total capacity is about 14,660 acre-feet of water. An acre-foot is the amount of water needed to cover one acre of land with water one foot deep.
Lewiston Lake is not just for storage. It also helps regulate water released from Trinity Dam. Trinity Dam is located about 7 miles (11 kilometers) upstream. The water from Lewiston Lake is used for several important purposes.
The Central Valley Project: California's Water Lifeline
Lewiston Dam and Lewiston Lake are vital parts of the Central Valley Project. This is a huge system of dams, canals, and power plants. It was built to manage water resources in California. The project collects water from the Sacramento River and San Joaquin River areas.
Why is the Central Valley Project Important?
The Central Valley Project helps California in many ways. One main goal is to provide water for irrigation. This means supplying water to farms in the Central Valley. This area is one of the most productive farming regions in the world.
Another key purpose is to generate hydroelectricity. This is electricity made using the power of moving water. Lewiston Dam has a power plant that can produce 350 kilowatts of electricity. This helps power homes and businesses.
The project also helps control floods. It provides water for cities and towns. It also supports wildlife and recreation.
How Dams Like Lewiston Dam Help Us
Dams are amazing structures that help people in many ways. They create reservoirs, which are like large storage tanks for water. This stored water can be used when it's dry.
Dams also help control floods by holding back excess water during heavy rains. They can also create clean energy through hydroelectric power. This type of energy is renewable. It does not pollute the air like burning fossil fuels. Lewiston Dam is a great example of how a dam can serve multiple important functions for a community.
