Stevens Creek Reservoir facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Stevens Creek Reservoir |
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View from Zinfandel Trail, June 2008
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 Stevens Creek Reservoir
Location in California
Stevens Creek Reservoir
Location in the United States
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| Location | Santa Clara County, California |
| Coordinates | 37°17′38″N 122°04′47″W / 37.29399°N 122.07986°W |
| Type | reservoir |
| Primary inflows | Stevens Creek |
| Primary outflows | Stevens Creek |
| Catchment area | 17.5 sq mi (45 km2) |
| Basin countries | United States |
| Managing agency | Santa Clara Valley Water District |
| Surface area | 8,692 acres (3,518 ha) |
| Water volume | 3,138 acre⋅ft (3,871,000 m3) |
| Settlements | none |
Stevens Creek Reservoir is a man-made lake located in the hills near Cupertino, California. It's part of the beautiful Santa Cruz Mountains. A large county park, covering about 1,063 acres, surrounds the reservoir.
This park is a great place for outdoor fun! You can go picnicking, hiking, and horseback riding. While swimming is not allowed, you can enjoy non-powered boating, like kayaking. Just remember, no motorboats or jet skis are permitted here.
It's important to know that if you catch fish in Stevens Creek Reservoir, you should not eat them. This is because certain natural substances in the water can make the fish unsafe to eat. So, fishing here is strictly "catch and release."
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History of Stevens Creek Reservoir
Stevens Creek Reservoir was created when the Stevens Creek Dam was built in 1935. This dam was constructed across Stevens Creek. It is one of the smaller reservoirs managed by the Santa Clara Valley Water District.
Stevens Creek flows into the reservoir and then continues past the dam towards San Francisco Bay. The creek and the reservoir are named after Captain Elijah Stephens. He led the first group of settlers in wagons across the Sierra Nevada mountains in 1844. Captain Stephens later settled in the Cupertino area.
About Stevens Creek Dam
The Stevens Creek Dam is an earthen dam. This means it's made mostly of compacted earth and rock. It stands about 132 feet (40 meters) high and stretches 1,080 feet (329 meters) long. The very top of the dam is 554 feet (169 meters) above sea level.
In 1985, the dam was made 10 feet (3 meters) taller. This was done by adding a large amount of material to its structure.
Stevens Creek County Park Activities
Stevens Creek County Park is one of 28 parks managed by the Santa Clara County Parks and Recreation Department. This park covers about 1,063 acres and completely surrounds the reservoir. Next to the park, on Montebello Ridge, is the Picchetti Ranch Open Space Preserve. This area is also known as Black Mountain.
You can find an entrance to the park about three miles from Interstate 280. The park has six miles of trails that connect to the Midpeninsula Regional Open Space District's Fremont Older Open Space Preserve. This means even more places to explore!
Fishing in the Reservoir
Many types of fish live in Stevens Creek Reservoir. These include Bluegill, Koi, Asian Carp, Largemouth Bass, and Crappie. If you are 16 years old or older, you need a permit to fish here.
As mentioned before, fishing at the reservoir is strictly "catch and release." This is because certain natural substances, like mercury and PCBs, are present in the water. These substances can build up in the fish, making them unsafe for people to eat. So, you can enjoy the fun of catching fish, but you must always release them back into the water.
