 | Parts of this article (those related to Failure threat section and Upgrades section) need to be updated. Please help update this article to reflect recent events or newly available information. (May 2019) |
| Prado Dam | |
|---|---|
 Prado Dam above the Chino Valley Freeway (SR 71)/Riverside Freeway (SR 91) interchange | |
| Location | Riverside County, California |
| Coordinates | 33°53′25″N 117°38′27″W / 33.8902°N 117.6408°W / 33.8902; -117.6408 |
| Opening date | April 1941; 83 years ago (1941-04) |
| Owner(s) |  U.S. Army Corps of Engineers |
| Dam and spillways | |
| Type of dam | Earth-fill dam |
| Impounds | Santa Ana River |
| Height | 162 ft (49 m) |
| Length | 2,280 ft (690 m) |
| Width (crest) | 30 ft (9.1 m) |
| Dam volume | 3,389,000 cu yd (2,591,000 m) |
| Reservoir | |
| Creates | Prado Flood Control Basin |
| Total capacity | 314,400 acre⋅ft (387,800 dam) |
| Catchment area | 2,230 sq mi (5,800 km) |
| Surface area | 6,600 acres (2,700 ha) |
| U.S. Geological Survey Geographic Names Information System: Prado Dam | |
Prado Dam is an earth-fill dry dam across the Santa Ana River at the Chino Hills near Corona, California in Riverside County with the resulting impounded water creating Prado Flood Control Basin reservoir. The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers built the dam in Lower Santa Ana River Canyon. Its primary purpose is flood control and it is the downstream element of the Santa Ana River's flood control system, which is a natural constriction about 30.5 mi (49.1 km) upstream from the ocean. The area upstream from the dam contains 2,255 sq mi (5,840 km) of the watershed's 2,650 sq mi (6,900 km). The dam's construction was authorized in 1936 and the flood of 1938 demonstrated its necessity. Construction was completed in 1941. Prado Flood Control Basin also provides water storage for groundwater recharge operations.
Failure threat
On January 14, 2005, after days of heavy rain, water began seeping through an earthen extension. Authorities released water in order to relieve pressure and sent a flood warning to areas downriver of the dam. Over 3,000 residents were evacuated from their homes for nearly twenty-four hours for fear of flooding. The gymnasium at Corona High School was converted by the American Red Cross into a temporary shelter.
Upgrades
As of 2005 work to increase the downstream channel's capacity from 5,000 to 30,000 cu ft (140 to 850 m) per second is ongoing. The total costs of the improvements is estimated at $400 million.
See also
References
- Sahagun, Louis. "Disneyland, dozens of cities could be flooded by dam failure from huge storm, engineers warn". Los Angeles Times. Retrieved 2019-05-17.
- "Corona dam's bicentennial mural too degraded for historic listing". Los Angeles Times. March 5, 2019. Retrieved 6 March 2018.
- Department of Water Resources (2010). "Station Meta Data: Prado Dam (PRA)". California Data Exchange Center. State of California. Retrieved 9 October 2010.
External links
- U.S. Army Corps of Engineers – Prado Dam
- U.S. Army Corps of Engineers– Seven Oaks Dam
- U.S. Geological Survey Geographic Names Information System: Prado Dam
- U.S. Geological Survey Geographic Names Information System: Prado Flood Control Basin
- Historic American Engineering Record (HAER) documentation, filed under Santa Ana River near junction of State Highways 71 and 91, Corona, Riverside County, CA:
- HAER No. CA-178, "Prado Dam", 7 photos, 109 data pages, 2 photo caption pages
- HAER No. CA-178-A, "Prado Dam, Embankment", 12 photos, 2 photo caption pages
- HAER No. CA-178-B, "Prado Dam, Outlet Works", 50 photos, 4 photo caption pages
- HAER No. CA-178-C, "Prado Dam, Spillway", 35 photos, 3 photo caption pages
- HAER No. CA-178-D, "Prado Dam, Service Vehicle Garage", 2 photos, 1 photo caption page