An Artificial Body of Water

The construction of Monticello Dam gave rise to the Lake Berryessa in 1957. The dam was designed to block the Putah Creek in the Vaca Mountains and provide the Northbay area of San Francisco with much needed water and electricity. As the dam collected the creek’s waters within the valley of the Vaca Mountains, water levels began to rise, flooding the area and creating what is now known as the 7th largest man-made lake in California. Part of the dam design was a spillway which served a very important purpose.

Monticello Dam

Monticello Dam is a 304-foot (93 m) high concrete arch dam built to provide a full irrigation supply to 96,000 acres (39,000 ha) of prime agricultural bottomland in Solano County and Yolo County, Califonia. It was later on tapped to provide electricity with the Monticello Dam power plant starting operation in 1983.