Pyramid Lake and Dam was completed in 1973 as part of the California Water Project. The name of both the lake and dam is the result of the pyramid-shaped rock that towers above the dam itself. The lake was created by damming Piru Creek and provides a surplus water supply to the Los Angeles as well as the regulation of water to the nearby Castaic Powerhouse. Subsequently, Pyramid Lake's is also used as a recreational area...go figure.
Prior to the flooding of the region, nearby Pyramid Cut which used to carry traffic, but is now the bed of Piru Creek. This was done as a cost saving effort instead of having to enlarge 2 bridges across the creek that were part of US Highway 99. Today, an entire portion of US 99 is submerged under the lake.
Statistics
Lake
- Capacity: 171,200 acre-feet
- Surface: 1,297 acres
- Shoreline: 21 miles
- Maximum depth: 355 feet
Dam
- Height: 400 feet
- Elevation: 2,606 feet
- Length: 1,090 feet
- Volume: 6,860,000 cubic yards