Stanford Heights dam
Stanford Heights
Located in the heart of San Francisco, Stanford Heights Reservoir stands as a testament to the city's commitment to sustainable water management. Built in 1928, this offstream Earth dam serves as a critical water supply for the local community, boasting a height of 31 feet and a storage capacity of 37 acre-feet. With a surface area of 2 acres and a drainage area of 0, Stanford Heights Reservoir is a key player in ensuring water security for the region.
Managed by the local government and regulated by the California Department of Water Resources, Stanford Heights Reservoir has been deemed to have a high hazard potential, although its condition assessment remains satisfactory. The dam's last inspection in February 2020 indicated a need for regular monitoring and maintenance to ensure its continued safety and operational efficiency. With Nancy Pelosi as the area's congressional representative, Stanford Heights serves as a vital component in the broader water infrastructure network that supports the city's water supply needs.
As climate change continues to impact water resources worldwide, Stanford Heights Reservoir plays a crucial role in ensuring the resilience of San Francisco's water supply. With its strategic location and historical significance, the dam serves as a beacon of environmental stewardship and proactive water management practices. As the city faces evolving challenges related to water scarcity and extreme weather events, Stanford Heights Reservoir stands ready to meet the demands of a changing climate and secure a sustainable water future for generations to come.
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 Stanford Heights -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Redwood C A Hwy 1 Bridge A Muir Beach Ca | 2 cfs | → |
| Pilarcitos C Bl Stone Dam Nr Hillsborough Ca | 4 cfs | → |
| San Mateo C Bl Lo Crystal Sp Res Nr San Mateo Ca | 4 cfs | → |
| Corte Madera C A Ross Ca | 4 cfs | → |
| San Lorenzo C A San Lorenzo Ca | 14 cfs | → |
| Pilarcitos C A Half Moon Bay Ca | 10 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Stanford Heights.
Boat launches
- Harding Road San Francisco
- Pier 52 Boat Launch
- San Francisco Bay Trail, South San Francisco
- Pan American Esplanade San Francisco
- Northpoint Drive 1235, San Francisco
- Turney Street Boat Ramp
Campgrounds
- Rob Hill Campground
- Candlestick Rv Park
- Aquatic Park Cove
- Kirby Cove Campground
- Bicentennial Campground
- Ridge Sites
Fishing spots
Paddle runs
- Headwaters To Mouth
- Headwaters To Ends One Quarter Mile South Of Bear Valley Road Bridge Segment 1: Ends 1/4 Mile South Of Bear Valley Road Bridge Segment 2: Caltrans Corporation Yard At Point Reyes Staton.
- Olema Ranch Campground To Caltrans Corporation Yard At Point Reyes Station
Track Stanford Heights 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 Stanford Heights
Where does the data for Stanford Heights 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 Stanford Heights.