Swift Creek Reservoir facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Swift Creek Reservoir |
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 Swift Creek Reservoir
Location in Virginia
Swift Creek Reservoir
Location in the United States
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| Location | Chesterfield County, Virginia |
| Coordinates | 37°24′37″N 77°40′29″W / 37.41028°N 77.67472°W |
| Type | Reservoir |
| Built | 1965 |
| Surface area | 1,700 acres (690 ha) |
| Surface elevation | 177 ft (54 m) |
The Swift Creek Reservoir is a large, man-made lake located in Chesterfield County, Virginia. It covers about 1,700 acres, which is like 1,300 football fields! This important reservoir holds over 5 billion gallons of water.
The reservoir is about 20 to 25 feet deep in its main channel. On average, it is 6 to 12 feet deep. It provides 20 percent of the drinking water for Chesterfield County. The land area that drains into the reservoir, called its watershed, is about 61.9 square miles.
Eight smaller streams, called tributaries, flow into the reservoir. These include Little Tomahawk Creek, Tomahawk Creek, Swift Creek, Otterdale Creek, Deep Creek, West Branch, Dry Creek, and Fuqua Creek. Besides providing drinking water, the Swift Creek Reservoir is also used to create electricity and is a fun place for people to relax and play.
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History of Swift Creek Reservoir
The Swift Creek Reservoir was built in 1965. Its main purpose was to provide a steady supply of public water for the communities nearby.
Protecting the Water
In 1992, a special group called the Watershed Management Committee was created. This committee's job was to help protect and keep the reservoir clean and healthy. They set rules for building near the lake. They also watched over how communities developed and were maintained around the reservoir.
In 2000, the Watershed Management Master Plan began. This plan aimed to achieve important goals. These goals included building facilities to treat stormwater runoff. They also worked to reduce all kinds of pollution flowing into the reservoir.
Improving the Area
In more recent years, projects have focused on improving the structures around the reservoir. This includes fixing and replacing several bridges. These efforts help make sure the reservoir area stays safe and useful for everyone.
Living Near the Reservoir
The Swift Creek Reservoir is a popular place to live. Two large communities, Brandermill and Woodlake, are built right on the waterfront. Many other smaller neighborhoods are also located near the reservoir.
