What is California's largest reservoir?

California's largest reservoir is Lake Shasta. It was constructed in the 1940s as part of the Central Valley Project and has a storage capacity of over 4.5 million acre-feet, making it not only the largest in California but also a crucial component of the state's water management system. It plays a significant role in providing water supply for agricultural, urban, and environmental needs, as well as being essential for flood control and hydroelectric power generation. The scale and functionality of Lake Shasta, along with its central location in California’s water infrastructure, emphasize its importance in managing the state’s water resources effectively.

In contrast, while Lake Oroville is the second-largest reservoir in California and plays an important role in the water supply, it does not match the storage capacity of Lake Shasta. Lake Tulare is a historical lake and not a reservoir in operational use today, whereas Lake Mead, although large, is primarily located in Nevada and functions differently within the Colorado River system rather than being a California reservoir.