California Aqueduct

The California Aqueduct is the concrete-lined aqueduct that transports water from Northern California to Southern California. It is the main water transport structure of the California State Water Project and at nearly 450 miles in length, it is the longest water channel in California. The aqueduct was built by the California Department of Water Resources. The State Water Project continues to grow, with greater capacity, storage and more branches.

Related Topics:
Concrete - Aqueduct - Northern California - Southern California - California State Water Project - Mile - Channel - California - California Department of Water Resources

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It begins at the Sacramento River Delta carries water south through the Central Valley where it often parallels Interstate 5. Here, the coastal branch splits off in a southwesterly direction to serve the central coast. When it reaches Bakersfield, it then is pumped up 2,000 feet to cross the Tehachapi Mountains.

Related Topics:
Sacramento River Delta - Central Valley - Interstate 5 - Bakersfield - Tehachapi Mountains

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At this point it divides into two branches. The east branch feeds Lake Perris in Riverside County, while the west branch heads toward Castaic Lake in the Angeles National Forest.

Related Topics:
Lake Perris - Riverside County - Castaic Lake - Angeles National Forest

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A typical section has a concrete-lined channel 40 feet wide at the base and an average water depth of about 30 feet. The widest section of the aqueduct is 110 feet and the deepest is 32.8 feet. The size of the channel varies according to how much capacity that section of the aqueduct was projected to need. The pumping and channel capacities at the start of the aqueduct are 10,670 and 10,300 cubic feet per second (cfs), respectively. The largest channel capacity is 13,100 cfs and the largest pumping plant capacity is 15,450 cfs. For perspective, an Olympic-sized swimming pool with dimensions of 2 X 25 X 50 meters holds about 88,000 cubic feet.

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Water flows through the aqueduct in a series of abrupt rises and gradual falls. The water flows down a long segment, built at a slight grade, and arrives at a pumping station. The pumping station raises the water, where it again gradually flows downhill to the next station. However, where there are substantial drops, the water's potential energy is recaptured by hydroelectric plants. The initial pumping station fed by the Sacramento River Delta raises the water 240 feet, while a series of pumps culminating at the Edmonston Pumping Plant raises the water 2,000 feet to cross the Tehachapi Mountains. The Department of Water Resources (DWR) also operates two pumped-storage hydroelectric plants, Castaic and Gianelli. Gianelli is located at the base of San Luis Dam, which forms San Luis Reservoir, the largest offstream reservoir in the United States. The DWR also operates 20 other primary lakes and reservoirs.

Related Topics:
Aqueduct - Potential energy - Hydroelectric - Pumped-storage hydroelectric - San Luis Dam - San Luis Reservoir - Reservoir

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