Banning Dam
{{Infobox dam
| name = Banning Dam
Lake Eleanor Dam
| name_official =
| image = Lake_eleanor_thousand_oaks.jpg
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| image_caption = Lake Eleanor as seen from above
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| location_map = California
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| coordinates = {{coord|34|08|07|N|118|51|06|W|type:landmark|display=inline,title}}
| country = United States
| location = Ventura County, California
| status = O
| construction_began = {{Start date and age|1881}}
| opening = {{start date and age|1889}}
| demolished =
| cost = $500 (1889)
| owner = Conejo Open Space Conservation Agency
| dam_type = Arch, constant-radius
| dam_height = {{convert|37|ft|m|abbr=on}}
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| dam_length = {{convert|140|ft|m|abbr=on}}
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| res_name = Lake Eleanor
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Lake Eleanor (National ID # CA00737), also known as Banning Dam, is an {{convert|8|acre|adj=on}} freshwater lake (gravity dam) near Westlake Village in Thousand Oaks, California. The lake lies within the {{convert|513|acre|adj=on}} Lake Eleanor Open Space and was Ventura County Historic Landmark No. 120 in 1988. It is also designated City of Thousand Oaks Historical Landmark No. 9. Under ownership of Conejo Open Space Conservation Agency (COSCA), the lake sits in a gorge with sheer cliffs and drops of {{convert|40|–|50|ft|abbr=on}}. An artificial lake, it was first constructed in 1889, and may be the first concrete arched dam built in California.{{Cite web|url=https://www.toaks.org/departments/city-manager-s-office/public-information-office/history|title = History | Thousand Oaks, CA}}{{Cite web|url=https://www.conejovalleyguide.com/welcome/banning-dam-lake-eleanor-dam-in-thousand-oaks-is-a-ventura-county-historical-landmark|title = Banning Dam (Lake Eleanor Dam) in Thousand Oaks is a Ventura County Historical Landmark| date=23 November 2017 }}https://docs.vcrma.org/images/pdf/planning/programs/chb/Points_of_Interest.pdf (Page 51).{{Cite web|url=https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-1997-oct-20-me-44848-story.html|title = Archives|website = Los Angeles Times| date=20 October 1997 }}
Although not a major dam, Banning Dam is among the oldest still standing in the state. Nearby Sherwood Dam dates from {{start date and age|1904|p=y}}. It is less than {{convert|1|mi|km}} east of Lake Sherwood.{{cite web | url=https://maps.google.com/maps?ll=34.135278,-118.851667&spn=0.01,0.01&t=h&q=34.135278,-118.851667 | title=Decker Canyon Road | work=Google Maps | access-date=June 23, 2011}} The structure is located within the Lake Eleanor Open Space. At 37 feet high, and 140 feet long at its crest, the dam is owned by the local Conejo Open Space Conservation Agency.{{cite web|url=http://ce-npdp-serv2.stanford.edu/DamDirectory/DamDetail.jsp?npdp_id%3DCA00737 |title=Archived copy |access-date=2012-09-26 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160305082814/http://ce-npdp-serv2.stanford.edu/DamDirectory/DamDetail.jsp?npdp_id=CA00737 |archive-date=2016-03-05 }}
Etymology
Named for its builder, "Captain" William Banning, it impounds Eleanor Creek to form the recreational Lake Eleanor.
History
File:Banning Dam & Lake Eleanor, Westlake Village, California.jpg
Lake Eleanor was originally constructed as a reliable water source for cattle in the 1880s. Work on the dam began in 1881 and was completed in 1889. Officials drained the reservoir in 1972 arguing it was a hazard, however, hundreds of frogs died and wildlife was consequentially moved to Triunfo Creek after the drainage.O’Brien, Tricia (2017). Thousand Oaks and Westlake Village (Images of America). Arcadia Publishing. Page 97. {{ISBN|9781467125697}}.
The lake was acquired by the Conejo Open Space Conservation Agency (COSCA) in 1986,{{Cite web|url=http://www.conejo-openspace.org/lake-eleanor.html|title = Lake Eleanor}} and was designated Ventura County Historic Landmark No. 120 in May 1988. It was later designated City of Thousand Oaks Historical Landmark No. 9.https://docs.vcrma.org/images/pdf/planning/programs/chb/Points_of_Interest.pdf (Page 51).{{Cite web|url=https://www.toaks.org/departments/city-manager-s-office/public-information-office/history|title = History | Thousand Oaks, CA}}
Ecology
Lake Eleanor Open Space makes up diverse wildlife habitats and landscapes such as rugged hills, rocky outcrops, marsh habitat, coastal sage scrub, and native oak woodland. The area supports several endangered and rare species of plants and nesting sites for hawks and other avifauna. Due to its sensitive resources and also the rugged terrain, there is only one trail developed in the open space, which follows the ridge east of Westlake Boulevard, accessed from Denver Springs Drive in Westlake Village, California.{{Cite web|url=http://www.conejo-openspace.org/lake-eleanor.html|title = Lake Eleanor}} Another trailhead is located at Highgate Road in Thousand Oaks, California.{{Cite web|url=https://www.toacorn.com/articles/westlake-hike-offers-lake-views/|title = Westlake hike offers lake views|date = 6 July 2017}}
The 8-acre lake and its surrounding 529 acres of open space are fenced off from the public, in order to create habitat for wildlife species such as the Great Blue Heron.https://docs.vcrma.org/images/pdf/planning/programs/chb/Points_of_Interest.pdf (Page 51).
Recreation
Due to sensitive resources and rough terrain, trails have not been developed in the area. One trail has however been developed following the ridgeline east of Westlake Boulevard. This trail provides views of two additional bodies of water: Westlake Lake and Las Virgenes Reservoir.{{Cite web|url=https://www.toacorn.com/articles/westlake-hike-offers-lake-views/|title = Westlake hike offers lake views|date = 6 July 2017}} The trail, which starts and begins in neighborhoods, can be reached from its trailheads at Highgate Road and Denver Springs Drive. Besides mountain and lake views, the ridgeline trail also offers views of the Conejo Valley and the Santa Monica Mountains. A variety of highpoints can be found along the trail, which has a total elevation gain of 500 ft.Riedel, Allen (2011). Best Easy Day Hikes Conejo Valley. Rowman & Littlefield. Pages 64-65. {{ISBN|9780762765812}}.
See also
References
{{reflist}}
{{Thousand Oaks, California}}
Category:Buildings and structures in Ventura County, California
Category:Santa Monica Mountains
Category:Dams completed in 1889