Ka Loko Reservoir

Infobox lake
lake_name = Ka Loko Reservoir
image_lake = Kaloko_breach.jpg
caption_lake = Aerial photo of the Ka Loko Dam breach
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location = Kauai, Hawaii
coords = coord|22|10|55|N|159|22|56|W|region:US-HI_type:waterbody|display=inline,title
type = reservoir
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basin_countries = United States
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Ka Loko Reservoir is a reservoir created by an earthen dam, on the island of Kauai, Hawaii. It is located on the north side of the island, at coord|22|10|55|N|159|22|56|W|region:US-HI_type:waterbody. Waters flow from Ka Loko Reservoir down to Waiakalua Reservoir, Waiakalua Stream, and down to the Pacific Ocean.

Ka Loko (sometimes spelled Kaloko) is notable because its dam burst on March 14, 2006. The dam burst was preceded by unusually heavy rain. The flood from the dam failure raced downhill towards the town of Kilauea, Hawaii, with a wall of water reported to be between 20 and 70 feet high (6 to 20 m high), and 200 feet (60 m) wide. The flood destroyed several homes, killed 7 people, including a toddler and a pregnant woman.

Ka Loko lies partially on land owned by James Pflueger, a well-known auto dealer. Pflueger had previously cleared land near the reservoir without a permit, which resulted in a record settlement with the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency for violating the Clean Water Act. Pflueger had started to put in place "stabilization measures" around the reservoir, as part of the settlement. As of March 15, 2006 it is unknown whether the clearing or stabilization measures were related to the dam failure.

External links

* [http://www.hawaiireporter.com/story.aspx?d4b463ac-91d0-48ad-a264-2a7b05f33143 Hawaii Reporter article about the flood]
* [http://starbulletin.com/2006/03/15/news/story01.html Honolulu StarBulletin article about the flood]
* [http://starbulletin.com/2006/03/15/news/story03.html Honolulu StarBulletin article about Pflueger's link to reservoir] .
* [http://www.hawaiireporter.com/story.aspx?2d22695f-8138-4336-ace2-9ee66e28c5cf Hawaii Reporter: third body found]
* [http://yosemite.epa.gov/r9/r9press.nsf/268400f6f4b727f288256b6100659fe6/a15399528bbb6d2c88256c7100795089!OpenDocument EPA News Release: EPA Issues Another Enforcement Order Against Pflueger on Kaua'i]