Vasona Reservoir facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Vasona Reservoir |
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June 2006
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 Vasona Reservoir
Location in California
Vasona Reservoir
Location in the United States
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| Location | Los Gatos, California |
| Coordinates | 37°17′38″N 122°04′47″W / 37.29399°N 122.07986°W |
| Type | Reservoir |
| Primary inflows | Los Gatos Creek |
| Primary outflows | Los Gatos Creek |
| Catchment area | 44.2 sq mi (114 km2) |
| Basin countries | United States |
| Managing agency | Santa Clara Valley Water District |
| Surface area | 57 acres (23 ha) |
| Water volume | 495 acre⋅ft (611,000 m3) |
Vasona Reservoir is a man-made lake in Los Gatos, California. It's a fun place for families and friends to visit. A large park surrounds the lake, offering many outdoor activities.
You can enjoy fishing, picnicking, and playing games here. While swimming is not allowed, you can use boats powered by people, like kayaks or paddle boats.
Contents
Discovering Vasona's Past
Vasona Reservoir was created a long time ago, in 1935. It was formed when the Vasona Percolating Dam was built across Los Gatos Creek. This dam helps manage water in the area.
The reservoir is the smallest one owned by the Santa Clara Valley Water District. This district helps make sure there's enough water for everyone.
How Vasona Got Its Name
The name "Vasona" has a special story. A man named Albert August Vollmer came to this area in 1887. He decided to name the place after a pony he had when he was a child.
All About Vasona Dam
The Vasona Dam is an important part of the reservoir. It's an earthen dam, meaning it's made mostly of soil and rock. The dam is about 34 feet (10 meters) tall and 1,000 feet (305 meters) long.
Its highest point is 307 feet (94 meters) above sea level. New gates were put into the dam in 1997 to help control the water flow.
Fun at Vasona Lake County Park
Vasona Lake County Park is a popular spot for outdoor fun. It's one of 28 parks managed by the Santa Clara County Parks and Recreation Department. The park covers 152 acres and wraps around the reservoir.
Right next to it, on the west side, is Oak Meadow Park. Together, they offer lots of space to explore.
Fishing at the Lake
If you like fishing, Vasona Lake is a great place to cast a line. You can try to catch different kinds of fish here. Some of the fish you might find include:
- Black bass
- Crappie
- Catfish
- Bluegill
Remember, fishing here is usually "catch and release." This means you catch the fish, but then you let them go back into the water.
