Petaluma Reservoir facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Petaluma Reservoir |
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 Petaluma Reservoir
Location in California
Petaluma Reservoir
Location in the United States
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| Location | Sonoma County, California |
| Coordinates | 38°17′50″N 122°34′39″W / 38.2971°N 122.5775°W |
| Type | reservoir |
| Primary outflows | tributary of Adobe Creek |
| Catchment area | 0.5 sq mi (1.3 km2) |
| Basin countries | United States |
| Surface area | 10 acres (4 ha) |
| Water volume | 227 acre⋅ft (280,000 m3) |
| Surface elevation | 1,024 ft (312 m) |
| Islands | none |
Petaluma Reservoir is a small, man-made lake located about 5 miles (8 km) northeast of Petaluma in Sonoma County, California, United States. It is also known as Lawler Reservoir. This reservoir was created to store water for the nearby city of Petaluma.
What is Petaluma Reservoir?
A reservoir is like a big, artificial lake built to collect and store water. This water can then be used for drinking, farming, or making electricity. Petaluma Reservoir was built to supply drinking water to the people living in Petaluma.
Building Lawler Dam
The water in Petaluma Reservoir is held back by a structure called Lawler Dam. This dam is made of rock and was built in 1910. It stands about 40 feet (12 m) high and stretches 1,150 feet (350 m) long. The City of Petaluma owns both the reservoir and the dam.
Why the Reservoir is No Longer Used
In 1992, something important happened. The State of California checked the dam and found that it might not be safe during a strong earthquake. Earthquakes can cause a lot of damage, and the dam needed to be made stronger to protect everyone.
Instead of spending money to make the dam earthquake-proof, the City of Petaluma decided to stop using the reservoir for its water supply. This way, they didn't have to worry about the dam's safety during an earthquake.
