Clifton Court Forebay dam
Clifton Court Forebay
Clifton Court Forebay is a vital water resource structure located in Contra Costa, California, serving multiple important purposes such as hydroelectric power generation, irrigation, and water supply. Completed in 1970, this earth dam stands at a height of 34 feet and has a storage capacity of 29,000 acre-feet, with a surface area of 2500 acres. It is state-owned and regulated by the California Department of Water Resources, ensuring proper inspection, permitting, and enforcement to maintain its fair condition and low hazard potential.
Situated on the Tr Old River, Clifton Court Forebay plays a crucial role in water management and energy production in the region. The dam's location within the San Francisco District highlights its significance in controlling water flow and storage for various purposes. With a designer name unspecified, the structure operates under state jurisdiction and receives regular inspections, emphasizing its importance in ensuring water safety and resource management for the local community.
As a key component in the water infrastructure of California, Clifton Court Forebay stands as a testament to the state's commitment to sustainable water resource management. With its multiple functions and regulated operation, the dam serves as a cornerstone in ensuring water supply reliability, energy production, and irrigation needs in the region. Its strategic location and efficient design contribute to the overall resilience and stability of the water supply system, making it a critical asset for water resource and climate enthusiasts to appreciate and support.
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 Clifton Court Forebay -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Grant Line Cn Nr Tracy Ca | 4,810 cfs | → |
| Middle R At Middle River Ca | 6,390 cfs | → |
| Old R A Bacon Island Ca | 5,110 cfs | → |
| Marsh C A Brentwood Ca | 0 cfs | → |
| Dutch Slough Bl Jersey Island Rd A Jersey Island | 3,370 cfs | → |
| Old R A Quimby Island Nr Bethel Island Ca | 2,760 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Clifton Court Forebay.
Boat launches
- California Aqueduct Bikeway, Byron
- Mcavoy Road 1099, Bay Point
- Lake Elizabeth Boat Ramp
- Chelsea Drive 5094, Newark
Campgrounds
- Round Valley Group Camp
- Carnegie State Vehicle Rec Area
- Dos Reis
- Turtle Beach Rv Park
- Cedar Group Camp
- Venados Group Camp
Fishing spots
- Contra Loma Reservoir
- Del Valle Lake
- Del Valle Reservoir/Lake
- Cliff House Fishing Access Area
- Almond Reservoir
- Quarry Lakes
More reservoirs
Track Clifton Court Forebay 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 Clifton Court Forebay
Where does the data for Clifton Court Forebay 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 Clifton Court Forebay.