 | This articleneeds additional citations forverification. Please helpimprove this article byadding citations to reliable sources. Unsourced material may be challenged and removed. Find sources: "Castaic Lake" – news ·newspapers ·books ·scholar ·JSTOR(November 2013) (Learn how and when to remove this message) |
| Castaic Lake | |
|---|---|
 Castaic Lake at sunset | |
  Castaic Lake  Castaic Lake  Castaic Lake | |
| Location | Castaic,Los Angeles County, California[1] |
| Coordinates | 34°32′N118°37′W / 34.53°N 118.61°W /34.53; -118.61 |
| Type | Reservoir |
| Primary inflows | West Branch California Aqueduct Castaic Creek |
| Primary outflows | Castaic Creek |
| Catchment area | 220.48 square miles (571.0 km2) |
| Basin countries | United States |
| Surface area | 3.45 square miles (8.9 km2) |
| Average depth | 147 feet (45 m) |
| Max. depth | 330 feet (100 m) |
| Water volume | 320,000 acre⋅ft (390,000,000 m3) |
| Surface elevation | 1,519 feet (463 m) |
Castaic Lake (Chumash:Kaštiq)[2] is areservoir formed byCastaic Dam onCastaic Creek, in theSierra Pelona Mountains of northwesternLos Angeles County, California, United States, near the town ofCastaic.
TheCalifornia Office of Environmental Health Hazard Assessment has issued a safety advisory for any fish caught in Castaic Lake and Castaic Lagoon due to elevated levels of mercury and PCBs.[3][4]
The 320,000 acre⋅ft (390,000,000 m3) lake, with a surface elevation of approximately 1,500 feet (460 m) above sea level, is the terminus of theWest Branch California Aqueduct, though some of its water comes from the 154-square-mile (400 km2) Castaic Creekwatershed above the dam. Castaic Lake is bisected by theElderberry Forebay Dam, which creates the adjacentElderberry Forebay. Theaqueduct water comes fromPyramid Lake through theAngeles Tunnel and is used to powerCastaic Power Plant, apumped-storage hydroelectric facility on the northern end of theforebay. Water is mostly powering the turbines, rather than being pumped by them.[5]
Castaic Lake State Recreation Area is astate park located in northwesternLos Angeles County near the community ofCastaic, north ofSanta Clarita. It is controlled by theCalifornia Department of Parks and Recreation. The recreational area is adjacent to theAngeles National Forest. The 4,224-acre (1,709 ha) park was established in 1965.[6] The area encompasses Castaic Lake. Primary access is viaInterstate 5 at exits 176A and 176B at the town of Castaic.
Water from the lake is distributed throughout the northern portion of theGreater Los Angeles Area. Some water is released into Castaic Lagoon below the dam, to maintain its water level for recreation. Castic Lagoon drains into Castaic Creek, which flows south until it meets theSanta Clara River, a few miles west ofSanta Clarita.
Castaic Lake has a lower lagoon with a swim beach that is open from Memorial Day weekend to Labor Day weekend annually. This lake also offersbass fishing in the upper and lower lake year-round andfloat tube fishing in the lower lake.[7]
Castaic Lake was one of the main filming locations for theMighty Morphin Power Rangers series. Many of the action scenes were recorded here.
Castaic Lake was the starting point forThe Amazing Race 26 on November 12, 2014. NBC'sFear Factor was also shot there.[8]
MusicianBaby Keem's debut albumThe Melodic Blue's album cover photo was taken at Castaic Lake.
The lake also served as the main filming location for the music video ofSabrina Carpenter's 2024 hit single "Espresso”, filmed in the spring of the same year.
{{cite journal}}:Cite journal requires|journal= (help)
| City | |
|---|---|
| Neighborhoods | |
| Public schools | |
| Private schools |
|
| Colleges and universities | |
| Points of interest |
|
| Services | |
| Media | |
| Transportation | |
| History | |
| Companies | |
| International | |
|---|---|
| National | |
| Geographic | |
