1) Date: March 16, 2000
2) Student Name: KimMarie Pozar Gaye
Research Topic: Central Valley Water Project

3) Name of Local Resource:

San Luis reservoir Visitor Center

Address:

Park Headquarters: Located at
31426 Gonzaga Road, Gustine, CA 95322.

Visitor Center: Located at
31770 Gonzaga Road, Gustine, CA 95322.

Web Address:
http://calparks.ca.gov/DISTRICTS/fourivers/slrsra333.htm

Contact Person/Title:

Phone:

(209) 826-1197, 827-5353

Public Telephone: (209) 826-1196

Open (Days/Hours):

Hours are

Park headquarters:Monday-Friday, 8 am.-5PM.
Closed Saturday, Sunday and Holidays.

Romero Visitors Center: 9-5 seven days a week

Checking Out Policy:

Xeroxing Policy and Costs:

Scanning Policy (Will they allow you to check out primary sources to be scanned? Can you take a photograph of a source?):

4) Summary of General Holdings (Describe what kinds of resources are available):

San Luis Reservoir was constructed as a storage
reservoir for the federal Central Valley Project and
the California State Water Project. It stores runoff
water from the Delta that would otherwise flow
into the ocean. The water arrives through the
California Aqueduct and the Delta-Mendota Canal,
and is pumped from the O'Neil Forebay into the
main reservoir during the winter and spring. The
Los Banos Creek Reservoir was built to prevent
storm runoff from flooding the canals.

A visitor center at the Romero Overlook provides
full information on the reservoirs and water
projects through audio-visual and printed
materials. Telescopes are also available for
viewing the area.

The first water works in the area were
constructed in 1871, when farmers built a canal
from Mendota Dam to Los Banos Creek to irrigate
their wheat crops. Many canals were added over
the years, until they totaled 180 miles in length.
Ground was broken in 1962 for the San Luis
Project, which created the current reservoirs.

5) Evaluation of General Holdings (Describe how accessible the holdings are, what search procedures/indexes are set up, the level of organization, and how valuable you think the holdings are for research.):

6) Collection(s)Relevant to Your Research Topic (Include name of collections and special rooms as well as specific/complete information on sources such as books, magazines, newspapers, folders, photographs and artifacts that you plan on using.):

7) Collection(s) of Potential Interest for Other Research Projects: