O'Neill Dam
{{Infobox dam
| name_official = O'Neill Dam
| image = O'NielDam01.jpg
| image_caption = O'Neill Forebay and Dam as seen from left bank.
| dam_crosses = San Luis Creek
| res_name = O'Neill Forebay
| location = Merced County, California, U.S.
| operator = US Bureau of Reclamation
| dam_length = {{convert|14300|ft|abbr=on}}
| dam_height = {{convert|87.5|ft|abbr=on}}
| dam_width_base = {{convert|124|ft|abbr=on}}
| construction_began = {{start date and age|1963}}
| opening = {{start date and age|1967}}
| res_capacity_total = {{convert|56400|acre.ft|dam3|abbr=on}}
| res_catchment = {{convert|18|mi2|abbr=on}}
| res_surface = {{convert|2250|acre|abbr=on}}
| coordinates = {{coord|37.0805|-121.0472|format=dms|type:landmark_region:US-CA|display=inline,title}}
| extra = {{gnis|type=retired|229834}}
}}
O'Neill Dam is an earthfill dam on San Luis Creek, {{convert|12|mi}} west of Los Banos, California, United States, on the eastern slopes of the Pacific Coast Ranges of Merced County. Forming the O'Neill Forebay, a forebay to the San Luis Reservoir, it is roughly {{convert|2.5|mi}} downstream from the San Luis Dam.
Background
Built from 1963 to 1967, the dam is an earthfill and rockfill construction stretching over {{convert|3|mi}} across the valley of San Luis Creek. A morning-glory type spillway lies at the left bank of the reservoir. At {{convert|87.5|ft}} high, with a maximum reservoir depth of {{convert|57|ft}}, the crest of the dam is {{convert|14300|ft}} long, at an elevation of {{convert|223|ft}}. The spillway is, as mentioned before, a morning-glory (inverted bell) design, capacity {{convert|3250|ft3}} per second, and with a circumference of {{convert|641.5|ft}}.
O'Neill Forebay reservoir
{{main|O'Neill Forebay}}
The O'Neill Forebay reservoir is fed by releases from the San Luis Dam as well as from the Delta–Mendota Canal. Water from the Delta–Mendota Canal is lifted a vertical distance of {{convert|8|ft}} into a channel running {{convert|2200|ft}} into the forebay.{{cite web |url=http://www.usbr.gov/projects/Facility.jsp?fac_Name=O%60Neill+Dam |title=O'Neill Dam | work=Projects and Facilities Database| author=Bureau of Reclamation | publisher=U.S. Department of the Interior | year=2009 | access-date=2009-04-28}} The peak inflow to the forebay is {{convert|15600|ft3}} per second, from both the San Luis Dam and the Delta–Mendota Canal. Drainage area of the reservoir downstream of the San Luis Dam is only {{convert|18|acre}}.
O'Neill Pumping-Generating Plant
The O'Neill Pumping-Generating Plant produces {{convert|28|MW}}. Irregular water releases from the San Luis Dam and William R. Gianelli Powerplant are collected in the reservoir of the O'Neill Dam, which has a capacity of {{convert|56400|acre.ft|dam3}}.
See also
{{stack|{{Portal|California|Water|Renewable energy}}}}
Notes
References
- {{cite web | author=Department of Water Resources | title=Station Meta Data: O'Neill Forebay (ONF) | url=http://cdec.water.ca.gov/cgi-progs/profile?s=ONF&type=dam | work=California Data Exchange Center | publisher=State of California | year=2009 | access-date=2009-04-01}}
External links
- {{cite gnis |id=254988 |name=O'Neill Forebay |entrydate=19 Jan 1981 |access-date=2009-06-15}}
{{Central Valley Project infrastructure}}
{{Generating stations in California|state=autocollapse}}
{{State Water Project}}
{{Authority control}}
Category:Dams completed in 1967
Category:Buildings and structures in Merced County, California
Category:United States Bureau of Reclamation dams
Category:Dams in the San Joaquin River basin