Union Valley Reservoir facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Union Valley Reservoir |
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Union Valley Reservoir, from Big Hill Lookout
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 Union Valley Reservoir
Location in California
Union Valley Reservoir
Location in the United States
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| Location | El Dorado County, California |
| Coordinates | 38°52′N 120°25′W / 38.87°N 120.42°W |
| Type | reservoir |
| Primary inflows | Silver Creek |
| Primary outflows | Silver Creek |
| Basin countries | United States |
| Surface area | 2,890.24 acres (1,169.64 ha) |
| Water volume | 277,000 acre⋅ft (342,000,000 m3) |
| Surface elevation | 4,870 ft (1,480 m) |
The Union Valley Reservoir is a large, human-made lake in eastern El Dorado County, California. It's about 20 miles (32 km) northeast of Placerville. This big lake holds about 277,000 acre-feet (342 million cubic meters) of water. You can find it high up in the Eldorado National Forest in the Sierra Nevada mountains, at an elevation of about 4,870 feet (1,484 m).
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Building the Reservoir
Union Valley Reservoir was created in 1963. It was formed by building the Union Valley Dam on Silver Creek. Silver Creek is a smaller stream that flows into the American River.
The dam is made of earth and rockfill and stands 453 feet (138 m) tall. This project is part of the Upper American River Project. The Sacramento Municipal Utility District (SMUD) operates the dam. SMUD is a public company that provides electricity.
How the Reservoir Works
The main job of Union Valley Reservoir is to store water from melting snow. This snowmelt happens in the spring. The stored water is then released during the summer. This is when people use the most electricity.
The water flows through a series of hydroelectric power plants downstream. These plants use the moving water to create electricity. The Union Valley Powerhouse is right at the base of the dam. It can produce 46.7 megawatts of power. This powerhouse helps supply electricity when demand is highest.
Where the Water Comes From
Many smaller streams feed into Union Valley Reservoir. These include Big Silver Creek, Jones Fork Silver Creek, Tells Creek, and Wench Creek. Water also flows in from the Robbs Peak and Jones Fork powerhouses.
The Jones Fork Powerhouse actually brings water from Ice House Reservoir. The Robbs Peak Powerhouse gets its water from the Middle Fork American River. This water travels through Loon Lake Reservoir and other small reservoirs.
Before the reservoir was built, Silver Creek sometimes dried up. Now, with the dam and diversions, it has a more steady flow.
Fun Activities at the Reservoir
Union Valley Reservoir is a great place for outdoor fun! Many people visit for different activities. You can go boating on the lake. It's also a popular spot for fishing. If you want to stay longer, there are places for camping nearby.
