Stampede Dam facts for kids
Stampede Dam is a large dam located in Sierra County, California. It holds back the waters of the Little Truckee River, creating a big lake called Stampede Reservoir. This dam is special because it was built for a very important reason: to help a rare type of fish!
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What is Stampede Dam?
Stampede Dam is a strong wall made of earth and rocks. It was built in 1970 by a government group called the United States Bureau of Reclamation. This group often builds dams across the country.
How Big Is Stampede Dam?
The dam is very tall, standing about 239 feet high. That's like a 20-story building! It's also very long, stretching about 1,511 feet across the river at its top.
Why Was Stampede Dam Built?
Most dams are built to stop floods or to store water for farms. But Stampede Dam was built for a different and very special reason: to help fish!
Helping the Cui-ui Fish
The main goal of Stampede Dam was to help a fish called the cui-ui. This fish is a critically endangered species, which means it's in great danger of disappearing forever. The dam helps the cui-ui fish by making it easier for them to lay their eggs (this is called spawning) in the river downstream.
Stampede Reservoir: A Fun Place!
The big lake created by the dam is called Stampede Reservoir. It's a popular spot for outdoor fun!
What Can You Do at Stampede Reservoir?
The reservoir has a water surface of about 3,340 acres. That's a lot of water! It also has about 25 miles of shoreline, which is great for exploring. People love to visit Stampede Reservoir for many activities:
- Fishing: You can catch different kinds of fish here, like kokanee salmon, rainbow trout, brook trout, brown trout, and lake trout (also known as mackinaw).
- Boating: Many people enjoy boating on the wide-open water.
- Camping: There are places to set up tents and enjoy nature.
- Hiking: You can explore trails around the lake.
- Hunting: Some areas are open for hunting.
There's even a special viewing platform at Stampede Vista Point. From here, you can get a great view of the dam and the beautiful reservoir.
