Willow Creek Reservoir (Elko County, Nevada) facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Willow Creek Reservoir |
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Lower portion of Willow Creek Reservoir
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 Willow Creek Reservoir
Location in Nevada
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| Location | Elko County, Nevada |
| Coordinates | 41°13′13″N 116°31′21″W / 41.22028°N 116.52250°W |
| Type | Reservoir |
| Primary inflows | Willow Creek |
| Primary outflows | Willow Creek |
| Basin countries | United States |
| Surface area | 640 acres (2.6 km2) |
| Max. depth | 40 feet (12 m) |
| Water volume | 10,000 acre-feet (12,000,000 m3) |
| Surface elevation | 5,400 feet (1,600 m) |
Willow Creek Reservoir is a special kind of lake located in Elko County, Nevada, in the United States. It's not a natural lake, but a man-made one. This means people built it on purpose!
The reservoir was created by building a large wall called the Willow Creek Dam. This happened way back in 1884. Today, a company called Barrick Goldstrike owns and manages the reservoir.
Contents
What is a Reservoir?
A reservoir is like a giant bathtub built by people. It's used to store water for different reasons. Think of it as a big storage tank for water.
Reservoirs are usually made by building a dam across a river or stream. The dam holds back the water, forming a lake behind it. This stored water can then be used when needed.
How Willow Creek Reservoir Was Made
The Willow Creek Reservoir was formed when the Willow Creek Dam was built. This dam holds back the water from Willow Creek. The project was finished in 1884.
Building a dam helps control the flow of water. It also creates a large body of water that can be used for many things.
Why is Willow Creek Reservoir Important?
The main reason Willow Creek Reservoir was built is for irrigation storage. Irrigation means supplying water to farmland. Farmers need water to help their crops grow, especially in dry places like Nevada.
The reservoir collects water during times when there's plenty, like after rain or snowmelt. Then, this stored water can be released when farmers need it most. This helps make sure crops get enough water all year round.
Location and Size
Willow Creek Reservoir is found in Elko County, Nevada. This area is in the northeastern part of the state.
The reservoir is quite large. It covers about 640 acres (which is about 2.6 square kilometers). At its deepest point, the water can be up to 40 feet (about 12 meters) deep. The surface of the water is about 5,400 feet (1,646 meters) above sea level.
