Bernardo Reservoir dam
Bernardo Reservoir
Located in Rancho Bernardo, California, Bernardo Reservoir is a vital offstream water supply source with a capacity of 30 acre-feet. Built in 1964, this earth dam stands at a height of 54 feet and spans 830 feet in length. The reservoir's primary purpose is to provide water supply to the local community, making it a crucial asset for water resource management in the region.
Managed by the local government and regulated by the Department of Water Resources (DWR) for safety compliance, Bernardo Reservoir has a high hazard potential but is currently assessed to be in satisfactory condition. Regular inspections ensure the structural integrity of the dam, with the last assessment conducted in September 2017. With its location in San Diego County and proximity to the Los Angeles District, the reservoir plays a crucial role in ensuring water security for the surrounding area.
Despite its modest surface area of 2 acres, Bernardo Reservoir serves as a key water source for Rancho Bernardo and underscores the importance of sustainable water management practices in the face of climate change. By providing a reliable water supply and adhering to strict regulatory standards, this reservoir exemplifies the vital role of infrastructure in supporting water resource resilience in a changing climate.
Dam data reference
Condition Assessment
- Satisfactory
- No existing or potential dam safety deficiencies are recognized. Acceptable performance is expected under all loading conditions (static, hydrologic, seismic) in accordance with the minimum applicable state or federal regulatory criteria or tolerable risk guidelines.
- Fair
- No existing dam safety deficiencies are recognized for normal operating conditions. Rare or extreme hydrologic and/or seismic events may result in a dam safety deficiency. Risk may be in the range to take further action.
- Poor
- A dam safety deficiency is recognized for normal operating conditions which may realistically occur. Remedial action is necessary. POOR may also be used when uncertainties exist as to critical analysis parameters which identify a potential dam safety deficiency.
- Unsatisfactory
- A dam safety deficiency is recognized that requires immediate or emergency remedial action for problem resolution.
- Not Rated
- The dam has not been inspected, is not under state or federal jurisdiction, or has been inspected but, for whatever reason, has not been rated.
Hazard Potential Classification
- High
- Dams assigned the high hazard potential classification are those where failure or mis-operation will probably cause loss of human life.
- Significant
- Dams assigned the significant hazard potential classification are those dams where failure or mis-operation results in no probable loss of human life but can cause economic loss, environmental damage, disruption of lifeline facilities, or impact other concerns. Significant hazard potential classification dams are often located in predominantly rural or agricultural areas but could be in areas with population and significant infrastructure.
- Low
- Dams assigned the low hazard potential classification are those where failure or mis-operation results in no probable loss of human life and low economic and/or environmental losses. Losses are principally limited to the owner's property.
- Undetermined
- Dams for which a downstream hazard potential has not been designated or is not provided.
Plan around the weather
Same NOAA / yr.no feed Snoflo's iOS app uses. Watch the precipitation column on the meteogram -- rain on the basin upstream typically lifts inflow 24-72 hours later.
Next 5 days, hour by hour
Temperature line with weather symbols on top, snow + rain accumulation as columns, humidity as a dotted line.
5-day forecast table
Every 3 hours, broken out across temperature, snow, rain, humidity, and wind. Each cell is colour-coded relative to the column min/max.
| Time | Condition | Temp (°F) | Snow (in) | Rain (in) | Humidity (%) | Wind (mps) | Wind dir |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Loading detailed forecast… | |||||||
15-day temperature & precipitation
Daily temperatures, snow, and rain projected over the next two weeks.
Nearby streamflow gauges
USGS streamgauges around Bernardo Reservoir -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Los Penasquitos C Nr Poway Ca | 3 cfs | → |
| Santa Maria C Nr Ramona Ca | · | → |
| Guejito C Nr San Pasqual Ca | 0 cfs | → |
| San Diego R A Mast Rd Nr Santee Ca | 7 cfs | → |
| Santa Ysabel C Nr Ramona Ca | 0 cfs | → |
| Los Coches C Nr Lakeside Ca | 0 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Bernardo Reservoir.
Boat launches
- Lake Hodges Boat Launching Area
- Lake Miramar
- Mission Bay Drive San Diego
- Shore Drive San Diego
- Santa Clara Place 1001, San Diego
Campgrounds
- Dos Picos
- Group Camp Site
- Dixon Lake
- San Elijo State Beach
- Santee Lakes Regional Park
- Admiral Baker Military - San Diego Ns
Fishing spots
Paddle runs
- Forest Boundary, Above Zoo Creek Below Spillway (S1/2, Sec 3, T11s, R2e) To La Jolla Indian Reservation Boundary (N1/2, Sec 31, T10s, R2e)
- Confluence Of Fry And Iron Spring Creeks (E1/2, Sec 3, T10s,R1e To Se1/4 Sec 16, T10s, R2e
- Santa Margarita River
- Devil Canyon Tributary To San Mateo Creek
- Crouch Ranch To Morena Reservoir
Track Bernardo Reservoir in the Snoflo app
Save this dam as a favorite and get the local NOAA / yr.no forecast plus regional flow context wherever you are.
About Bernardo Reservoir
Where does the data for Bernardo Reservoir come from?
Structural and regulatory data come from the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers' National Inventory of Dams (NID). Weather forecast comes from NOAA / yr.no -- the same feed Snoflo's iOS app uses.
How often is the report updated?
NID structural data refreshes annually as the Corps publishes updated assessments. The weather forecast refreshes throughout the day.
What does the High hazard rating mean?
The Corps of Engineers' hazard potential classification grades probable consequences if the dam fails: High = probable loss of human life; Significant = no probable loss of human life but possible economic loss / environmental damage; Low = no probable loss of human life, only minor economic / environmental losses. See the Dam Data Reference card above for the full definitions.
What's "% of normal"?
The current storage value compared to the historical average storage on this calendar day. 100% = right on average; values above 100% mean above-normal storage (wet year); values below mean below-normal (dry year or drought).
Can I get alerts when storage crosses a threshold?
Yes -- alerts are managed in the Snoflo iOS app. Favorite this dam, set a threshold, and you'll get a push the moment conditions cross.
Other water bodies near here
Snoflo-tracked reservoirs and dams within driving distance of Bernardo Reservoir.