Puddingstone Dam facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Puddingstone Dam |
|
|---|---|
 Location of Puddingstone Dam in California
|
|
| Country | United States |
| Location | San Dimas, Los Angeles County, California |
| Coordinates | 34°05′25″N 117°48′33″W / 34.09028°N 117.80917°W |
| Construction began | 1925 |
| Opening date | 1928 |
| Owner(s) | Los Angeles County Department of Public Works |
| Dam and spillways | |
| Type of dam | Rock-fill |
| Impounds | Walnut Creek |
| Height | 147 ft (45 m) |
| Length | 2,698 ft (822 m) |
| Spillways | Overflow |
| Reservoir | |
| Creates | Puddingstone Reservoir |
| Total capacity | 22,232 acre⋅ft (27,423,000 m3) |
| Active capacity | 16,342 acre⋅ft (20,158,000 m3) |
| Catchment area | 33.1 sq mi (86 km2) |
| Surface area | 490 acres (200 ha) |
| Power station | |
| Hydraulic head | 135 ft (41 m) |
The Puddingstone Dam is a large dam located in San Dimas, which is in eastern Los Angeles County, California. It stands about 147 ft (45 m) tall and is made from earth and rocks.
This important dam was built in 1928 by the Los Angeles County Department of Public Works. This same group still takes care of the dam today.
What Does Puddingstone Dam Do?
The main job of Puddingstone Dam is to help control floods. It holds back the water of Walnut Creek, which is a smaller river that flows into the San Gabriel River.
How Does the Dam Help with Floods?
When the dam holds back water, it creates a large lake called Puddingstone Reservoir. This reservoir can hold over 20,000 acre⋅ft (25,000,000 m3) of water!
The reservoir collects floodwater from two main areas:
- Walnut Creek Wash
- San Dimas Wash
A short, man-made channel connects the reservoir to the San Dimas Wash, helping to manage water from both sources. This prevents too much water from flowing downstream and causing floods in towns and cities.
