Loch Lomond (California) facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Loch Lomond |
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Location | Santa Cruz Mountains Santa Cruz County, California |
Coordinates | 37°06′11″N 122°04′24″W / 37.10306°N 122.07333°W |
Type | Reservoir |
Primary inflows | Newell Creek |
Primary outflows | Newell Creek |
Basin countries | United States |
Max. length | 3 mi (4.8 km) |
Max. width | 0.25 mi (0.40 km) |
Surface area | 175 acres (71 ha) |
Max. depth | 150 ft (46 m) |
Water volume | 9,200 acre⋅ft (11,300,000 m3) |
Surface elevation | 574 ft (175 m) |
Loch Lomond is a large reservoir located in the beautiful Santa Cruz Mountains in Santa Cruz County, California. It's a very important part of the water system for the city of Santa Cruz, California and other nearby areas. Think of it as a giant, man-made lake that holds water for people to drink.
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How Loch Lomond Was Made
This reservoir was created by building a special wall called the Newell Creek Dam. This dam was built across Newell Creek, which is a smaller stream that flows into the San Lorenzo River.
Building the Dam
The Newell Creek Dam is a huge wall made mostly of earth. It stands about 190 ft (58 m) tall and stretches 750 ft (230 m) wide. Building such a big structure needed a lot of money. The project was paid for by selling special bonds, which are like promises to pay back money later.
The dam was finished in the fall of 1960. It took a few years for enough water to collect behind the dam. By March 1963, the water was so high that it started flowing over the spillway, which is like a giant overflow drain.
Facts About the Reservoir
Loch Lomond is quite large, covering about 175 acres (71 ha) of land. It is about 2.5 mi (4.0 km) long and 0.25 mi (0.40 km) wide. At its deepest point, the reservoir goes down about 150 ft (46 m). It can hold a massive 9,200 acre⋅ft (11,300,000 m3) of water.
This huge amount of water is treated and then sent to homes and businesses. It provides a big part of the drinking water for the city of Santa Cruz and other communities nearby.
Fun Things to Do at Loch Lomond
Loch Lomond is not just for drinking water; it's also a great place for outdoor activities!
Activities You Can Enjoy
- Boating: You can rent boats at the reservoir and enjoy a peaceful ride on the water. However, you can't bring your own private boat to launch here.
- Fishing: If you love to fish, Loch Lomond is a popular spot.
- Picnicking: There are areas where you can have a picnic with your family and friends.
- Hiking: You can explore the trails around the reservoir and enjoy nature.
Important Rules
To keep the water clean and safe for everyone, there are some rules:
- No swimming is allowed in Loch Lomond. This helps protect the drinking water supply.
- You cannot launch your own private boat. Only rental boats are permitted.
When to Visit
Loch Lomond has a boat rental shop and a snack shop for visitors. It is open every day from March 1 to September 15. After that, it's open only on weekends from Labor Day until October 17.