Los Vaqueros Reservoir

Infobox lake
lake_name = Los Vaqueros Reservoir
image_lake =
caption_lake =
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location = Brentwood, California
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type = reservoir
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outflow =
catchment =
basin_countries = United States
length =
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depth =
max-depth = convert|170|ft|m
volume = convert|100000|acre.ft|km3|abbr=on|lk=on
residence_time =
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cities = The Los Vaqueros Reservoir was completed by the Contra Costa Water District in 1998 to improve the quality of drinking water for its 550,000 customers in Central and Eastern Contra Costa County in Northern California.

The Los Vaqueros Watershed compromises convert|19300|acre|km2 of open space surrounding the convert|1500|acre|km2|sing=on reservoir.

Water is pumped into the reservoir from a Delta intake on Old River in the Sacramento-San Joaquin Delta. The intake is located just east of Discovery Bay. Water is pumped into the reservoir when salinity is low, and used for drinking water when salinity in the Delta is too high.

Water from the reservoir is released via a pipeline to the convert|48|mi|km|sing=on Contra Costa Canal, which conveys water to six water treatment plants throughout the Water District's service area.

Other benefits of the reservoir include water storage for drought or emergencies, a protected open space, and recreation. There are convert|55|mi|km of hiking trails in the watershed. By far, the greatest benefit is the protection of nearly 20,000 acres of wildlife habitat in Eastern Contra Costa County. The watershed is currently home for many rare, threatened and endangered species including fairy shrimp, bald and golden eagles, Alameda whipsnake, western pond turtle, California tiger salamander, California red-legged frog, San Joaquin kit fox, San Francisco dusky-footed wood rat. It also provides habitat for hundreds of common plant and animal species in the area. Strict environmental commitments with State and federal agencies, and a commitment to preserving the resource help preserve this site.

However, the Contra Costa Water District is pursuing a plan to enlarge the reservoir. Costs will be past on to those that receive water from the water District. Mitigation for the loss of sensitive wildlife habitat will be necessary.

The watershed is open for fishing, hiking and other activities year-round. Electric rental boats are available, but no outside boats can be launched on the lake. There is no swimming in the reservoir.

The reservoir can store up to convert|100000|acre feet of water.

The earthen dam is convert|192|ft|m high with a convert|1000|ft|m|sing=on crest length. It is made of 2.7 million cubic yards of fill material.

External links

* [http://www.ccwater.com/losvaqueros/ Los Vaqueros page on Conta Costa Water District web site]
* [http://www.ccwater.com/losvaqueros/fishing.asp Los Vaqueros fishing information]
* [http://www.ccwater.com/losvaqueros/conditions.asp Los Vaqueros webcam & weather]
* [http://www.ccwater.com/losvaqueros/fishrecord_pics.asp Los Vaqueros fishing records]
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ee also

*List of lakes in California
*List of lakes in the San Francisco Bay Area
*List of reservoirs and dams in California