Bonita Long Canyon dam
Bonita Long Canyon
Bonita Long Canyon, located in Bonita, California, is a local government-owned earth dam constructed in 1986 with the primary purpose of flood risk reduction along the Tr Sweetwater River. Standing at a height of 29 feet and a hydraulic height of 23.5 feet, the dam spans 400 feet in length and has a storage capacity of 49 acre-feet. Despite its modest size, the dam serves an important role in safeguarding the surrounding community from potential flooding events.
Managed by the California Department of Water Resources (DWR) and subject to state regulation, inspection, and enforcement, Bonita Long Canyon Dam has been assessed as having a low hazard potential with a satisfactory condition as of September 2017. The dam boasts a well-maintained status, evidenced by the last inspection conducted in March 2021. With a steady track record of safety and operational effectiveness, the dam continues to fulfill its critical function of mitigating flood risks in the region. For water resource and climate enthusiasts, Bonita Long Canyon serves as a noteworthy example of local infrastructure contributing to the resilience and protection of communities against natural disasters.
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 Bonita Long Canyon -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Jamul C Nr Jamul Ca | 10 cfs | → |
| San Diego R A Fashion Valley At San Diego Ca | 8 cfs | → |
| Sweetwater R A Dehesa Ca | · | → |
| San Diego R A Mast Rd Nr Santee Ca | 6 cfs | → |
| Los Coches C Nr Lakeside Ca | 0 cfs | → |
| Los Penasquitos C Nr Poway Ca | 3 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Bonita Long Canyon.
Boat launches
- Glorietta Bay Marina A California Yacht Marina
- Mission Bay Drive San Diego
- Public Boat Launching Facility
- Shore Drive San Diego
- Santa Clara Place 1001, San Diego
Campgrounds
- Sweetwater Summit
- Silver Strand State Beach Dispersed
- Fiddlers Cove Rv Military - Coronado Nb
- Tt Pio Pico Rv Resort
- Kumeyaay Lake Campground - Mission Trails Park
- Admiral Baker Military - San Diego Ns
Fishing spots
Paddle runs
- Cañon La Presa (Valle Las Palma To Presa Rodriguez)
- Crouch Ranch To Morena Reservoir
- 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
More reservoirs
Track Bonita Long Canyon 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 Bonita Long Canyon
Where does the data for Bonita Long Canyon 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 Low 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 Bonita Long Canyon.