List of dams and reservoirs in California Facts for Kids

California is a big state, and it needs a lot of water for its people, farms, and cities. That's where dams and reservoirs come in! A dam is a huge wall built across a river or stream to hold back water. The area where the water collects behind the dam is called a reservoir, which is like a giant, man-made lake.

California has more than 1,400 named dams and over 1,300 named reservoirs. These structures are super important because they help store water from rain and snowmelt, especially during wet seasons. This stored water can then be used during dry times for drinking, watering crops, and even making electricity!

Why Do We Need Dams and Reservoirs?
How Are Dams Built?
Some Important Dams and Reservoirs in California
Dams That Are No Longer Used
Future Dams and Water Projects
See also

Why Do We Need Dams and Reservoirs?

Dams and reservoirs serve many important purposes in California.

Storing Water for People and Farms

One of the main reasons for dams is to store water. California often has long dry periods, so it's crucial to save water when it's available. Reservoirs act like giant bathtubs, holding water until it's needed by homes, businesses, and farms. This helps make sure everyone has enough water, even when it hasn't rained much.

Controlling Floods

Dams also play a big role in flood control. When heavy rains or melting snow cause rivers to swell, dams can hold back the extra water. This prevents rivers from overflowing their banks and causing floods in towns and cities downstream. It helps keep people and their homes safe.

Making Clean Energy

Many dams in California are used to create electricity. This is called hydroelectric power. Water stored in the reservoir is released through large pipes, spinning giant turbines that generate electricity. It's a clean way to make power because it doesn't burn fossil fuels or create pollution.

Fun and Recreation

Beyond their practical uses, many reservoirs are also popular spots for outdoor fun! People can go boating, fishing, swimming, and camping at these beautiful lakes. They offer great places for families and friends to enjoy nature.

How Are Dams Built?

Dams come in different shapes and sizes, and they are built using various materials and methods. Here are some common types you might find in California:

Earth Dams

Earth dams are the most common type. They are built by piling up natural materials like soil, sand, clay, and rocks. They are very wide at the bottom and get narrower towards the top, like a big hill. Many dams in California, like the Oroville Dam, are earth dams.

Gravity Dams

Gravity dams are made of concrete or stone. They are very thick and heavy, and their own weight holds them in place against the force of the water. They often have a straight or slightly curved shape. The Folsom Dam is an example of a gravity dam.

Arch Dams

Arch dams are curved, like an arch. This curved shape helps them push the water's force against the canyon walls, which makes them very strong. They are often built in narrow, rocky canyons. The Pacoima Dam is a famous arch dam in California.

Rock-fill Dams

Rock-fill dams are similar to earth dams but are built mainly with rocks and loose stone, often with a layer of clay or concrete to make them watertight. The New Melones Dam is a large rock-fill dam.

Other Types of Dams

You might also hear about hydraulic fill dams (built by washing soil into place with water), masonry dams (made of stone blocks), or slab and buttress dams (which use a series of supports). Each type is chosen based on the landscape and the amount of water it needs to hold.

Some Important Dams and Reservoirs in California

California has many important dams and reservoirs. Here are a few examples:

Lake Oroville and Oroville Dam: This is the tallest dam in the United States, standing at 770 feet (235 meters) high! It's a huge earth dam that holds a massive amount of water for the state.
Shasta Lake and Shasta Dam: Located in Northern California, Shasta Dam is a very large concrete gravity dam. Shasta Lake is the state's largest reservoir by volume, meaning it can hold the most water.
Folsom Lake and Folsom Dam: This dam helps control floods on the American River and provides water for the Sacramento area.
San Luis Reservoir and B.F. Sisk Dam: This reservoir is a key part of California's water system, storing water that is pumped from the Sacramento-San Joaquin Delta.

Dams That Are No Longer Used

Sometimes, dams are removed or stop being used. This can happen for different reasons, like safety concerns or environmental reasons.

St. Francis Dam: This dam failed in 1928, causing a huge flood. This disaster led to much stricter rules for building dams in California.
San Clemente Dam: This dam was intentionally removed in 2015-2016 because it was old and had environmental problems. Removing it helped the river flow naturally again.

Future Dams and Water Projects

Engineers and water experts are always thinking about how to manage California's water supply. New projects are sometimes proposed to help store more water or move it to where it's needed.

Sites Reservoir: This is a proposed project that would create a new off-stream reservoir (meaning it wouldn't be built directly on a main river) to store more water for the state.

List of dams and reservoirs in California facts for kids

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