Drinkwater dam
Drinkwater
Drinkwater Reservoir, located in Saugus, California, is a significant water resource managed by the local government for hydroelectric power generation and water supply purposes. Built in 1923, this Earth dam stands at a height of 105 feet and has a storage capacity of 92 acre-feet. With a drainage area of 0.03 square miles, the reservoir covers an area of 4 acres and plays a crucial role in water management in the region.
Regulated by the California Department of Water Resources and Safety of Dams, Drinkwater Reservoir is inspected regularly to ensure its structural integrity and safe operation. The dam has been assessed as satisfactory, with a significant hazard potential. In the event of an emergency, a detailed Emergency Action Plan is prepared to address any potential risks and protect the surrounding communities. With its strategic location and vital role in water supply and power generation, Drinkwater Reservoir serves as a key infrastructure for sustainable water management and climate resilience in the region.
Additionally, the reservoir's proximity to the Los Angeles District highlights its importance in the overall water infrastructure of the area. The dam's location offstream from a river or stream further emphasizes its critical role in storing and managing water resources. As climate change continues to impact water availability and quality, Drinkwater Reservoir stands as a crucial asset for ensuring water security and meeting the region's growing water demands.
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 Drinkwater -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Piru Creek Above Lake Piru Ca | 34 cfs | → |
| Piru Creek Below Santa Felicia Dam Ca | 198 cfs | → |
| Piru C Ab Frenchmans Flat Ca | 16 cfs | → |
| Santa Clara R Nr Piru Ca | 210 cfs | → |
| Big Tujunga C Bl Hansen Dam Ca | · | → |
| Sespe C Nr Fillmore | 44 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Drinkwater.
Boat launches
- Lake Hughes Road Castaic
- Piru Canyon Road 4780, Castaic
- Interstate 5, Lebec
- Vacquero Boating And Picnic Site
- Vista Del Lago Road 21, Lebec
- Pyramid Lake Road, Lebec
Campgrounds
Fishing spots
Paddle runs
- Site Of St Francis Dam Disaster To Seco Canyon At The Nf Boundary
- Green Valley At The Nf Boundary To Site Of St Francis Dam Disaster
- Lower Piru Creek (Oulet At Pyramid Reservoir) To Piru Reservoir
- Castaic To Pyramid Reservoir
- Confluence With Gold Hill Creek To Castaic
- Wilderness Boundary To Confluence With Gold Hill Creek
Track Drinkwater 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 Drinkwater
Where does the data for Drinkwater 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 Significant 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 Drinkwater.