The lake, with a surface elevation of approximately above sea level, is the terminus of the
West Branch California Aqueduct, though some of its water comes from the Castaic Creek
watershed above the dam. Castaic Lake is bisected by the
Elderberry Forebay Dam, which creates the adjacent
Elderberry Forebay. The
aqueduct water comes from
Pyramid Lake through the
Angeles Tunnel and is used to power
Castaic Power Plant, a
pumped-storage hydroelectric facility on the northern end of the
forebay. Water is mostly powering the turbines, rather than being pumped by them.
Castaic Lake State Recreation Area Castaic Lake State Recreation Area is a
state park located in northwestern
Los Angeles County near the community of
Castaic, north of
Santa Clarita. It is controlled by the
California Department of Parks and Recreation. The recreational area is adjacent to the
Angeles National Forest. The park was established in 1965. The area encompasses Castaic Lake. Primary access is via
Interstate 5 at exits 176A and 176B at the town of Castaic.
Distribution Water from the lake is distributed throughout the northern portion of the
Greater Los Angeles Area. Some water is released into Castaic Lagoon below the dam, to maintain its water level for recreation. Castic Lagoon drains into Castaic Creek, which flows south until it meets the
Santa Clara River, a few miles west of
Santa Clarita. == Lake activities ==