Prado Dam facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Prado Dam |
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Prado Dam above the Chino Valley Freeway (SR 71)/Riverside Freeway (SR 91) interchange
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| Location | Riverside County, California |
| Coordinates | 33°53′25″N 117°38′27″W / 33.8902°N 117.6408°W |
| Opening date | April 1941 |
| Owner(s) |  U.S. Army Corps of Engineers |
| Dam and spillways | |
| Type of dam | Earth-fill dam |
| Impounds | Santa Ana River |
| Height | 162 ft (49 m) |
| Length | 2,280 ft (690 m) |
| Width (crest) | 30 ft (9.1 m) |
| Dam volume | 3,389,000 cu yd (2,591,000 m3) |
| Reservoir | |
| Creates | Prado Flood Control Basin |
| Total capacity | 314,400 acre⋅ft (387,800 dam3) |
| Catchment area | 2,230 sq mi (5,800 km2) |
| Surface area | 6,600 acres (2,700 ha) |
The Prado Dam is a large earth-fill dam located across the Santa Ana River in Riverside County, California. It sits near the Chino Hills and the city of Corona, California. When water builds up behind the dam, it forms a large area called the Prado Flood Control Basin.
The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers built this important dam. Its main job is to control floods, protecting communities downstream from heavy rains. It's a key part of the Santa Ana River's flood control system. The dam was approved in 1936, and a big flood in 1938 showed everyone how much it was needed. Construction finished in 1941. Besides flood control, the Prado Flood Control Basin also helps store water to refill underground water supplies, a process called groundwater recharge.
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Why Was Prado Dam Built?
The Santa Ana River is a long river that flows into the Pacific Ocean. The Prado Dam is located about 30.5 mi (49.1 km) upstream from the ocean, at a naturally narrow part of the river. This spot is perfect for a dam because it can hold back a lot of water. The area upstream from the dam, called the watershed, covers about 2,255 sq mi (5,840 km2) of the river's total 2,650 sq mi (6,900 km2) watershed. This means the dam helps manage water from a very large area.
How the Dam Protects Communities
In January 2005, after many days of heavy rain, a lot of water collected behind the dam. Water began to seep through a part of the dam's earthen extension. To keep everyone safe, authorities carefully released water from the dam to lower the pressure. They also sent flood warnings to people living downriver. As a precaution, over 3,000 residents were asked to leave their homes for about a day. The American Red Cross even set up a temporary shelter at Corona High School to help those who were evacuated. This event showed how important the dam is for protecting homes and lives during big storms.
Improving the Dam's Safety
Since 2005, work has been ongoing to make the dam and the river channel even safer. These improvements aim to increase how much water the channel downstream can handle, from 5,000 cu ft (140 m3) per second to 30,000 cu ft (850 m3) per second. This means the river can carry away more water quickly during floods. The total cost for these important safety upgrades is estimated to be around $400 million. These projects help ensure the dam continues to protect the communities in Riverside County for many years to come.
Images for kids
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Prado Dam Spillway, with an American Bicentennial mural.
