Monticello Dam
| Monticello Dam | |
|---|---|
 |
|
| Location |
Vaca Mountains, Napa County, California. |
| Coordinates | 38°30′48″N 122°06′15″W / 38.5133°N 122.1042°WCoordinates: 38°30′48″N 122°06′15″W / 38.5133°N 122.1042°W |
| Construction began | 1953 |
| Opening date | 1957 |
| Operator(s) | Bureau of Reclamation |
| Dam and spillways | |
| Impounds | Putah Creek |
| Height | 304 ft (93 m) |
| Length | 1,023 ft (312 m) |
| Width (base) | 100 ft (30 m) |
| Reservoir | |
| Creates | Lake Berryessa |
| Total capacity | 1,602,000 acre·ft (1.976×109 m3) |
| Catchment area | 566 sq mi (1,470 km2) |
| Surface area | 20,700 acres (8,400 ha) |
| Power station | |
| Operator(s) | Solano Irrigation District |
| Commission date | 1983 |
| Turbines | 2 x 5 MW, 1 x 1.5 MW |
| Installed capacity | 11.5 MW |
| Annual generation | 56,806,000 KWh (2004) |
| U.S. Geological Survey Geographic Names Information System: Monticello Dam | |
Monticello Dam is a 304-foot (93 m) high concrete arch dam in Napa County, California, United States constructed between 1953 and 1957. The dam impounded Putah Creek to create Lake Berryessa in the Vaca Mountains.
Lake Berryessa is currently the seventh largest man-made lake in California. Water from the reservoir primarily supplies agriculture in the Sacramento Valley downstream. The dam is noted for its classic, uncontrolled morning-glory type spillway. The diameter at the lip is 72 ft (22 m). Locally, the spillway is also known as 'The Glory Hole'.
To the south is Putah Creek State Wildlife Area.
Although the dam and its 26-mile (42 km) long reservoir are located entirely in eastern Napa County, the dam lies less than 500 ft (150 m) west of the boundary with Yolo County. In addition, parts of the lake's watershed extend into Lake County.
Monticello is a concrete medium thick arch dam 304 ft (93 m) high from the foundations, 1,023 ft (312 m) long and 239 ft (73 m) above the riverbed. The dam is 100 ft (30 m) thick at the base, tapering to 12 ft (3.7 m) at the crest. The total volume of construction materials is 326,000 cubic yards (249,000 m3).
The capacity of the reservoir is 1,602,000 acre·ft (1.976×109 m3), with a full surface area of 20,700 acres (8,400 ha). The maximum operating elevation is 440 ft (130 m); any higher water levels will flow over the dam's spillway. About 375,000 acre feet (0.463 km3) of runoff flow into the reservoir each year from its 566-square-mile (1,470 km2) watershed.
The Monticello Dam Powerplant was completed in 1983 and has three generators, totaling a capacity of 11.5 megawatts (MW). The powerplant is operated and maintained by the Solano Irrigation District. The electrical power is sent mostly to the North Bay area of San Francisco.
...
Wikipedia