Lafayette dam
Lafayette
Lafayette, also known as the Lafayette Reservoir, is a vital water resource located in Lafayette, California. Owned and regulated by the state, this public utility serves as a key source of water supply for the region. The dam, completed in 1929, stands at a height of 132 feet and has a storage capacity of 4250 acre-feet. Situated on Lafayette Creek, the reservoir covers a surface area of 126 acres and has a drainage area of 1.34 square miles.
Despite being classified as having a high hazard potential, the dam at Lafayette is in fair condition as of the last assessment in September 2017. Regular inspections are conducted, with the last one taking place in December 2020. The emergency action plan (EAP) for the dam was last revised in January 2020. Operated by the state and meeting regulatory guidelines for safety, Lafayette serves as a critical infrastructure for water supply and management in Contra Costa County.
With its strategic location and significant storage capacity, Lafayette plays a crucial role in ensuring water security for the surrounding communities. As a well-maintained earth dam, it stands as a testament to the state's commitment to water resource management and safety. For water resource and climate enthusiasts, Lafayette represents a key piece of infrastructure that showcases the intersection of public utility, regulatory oversight, and environmental stewardship in the face of evolving climate challenges.
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 Lafayette -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| San Ramon C A San Ramon Ca | 0 cfs | → |
| Cull C Ab Cull C Res Nr Castro Valley Ca | 0 cfs | → |
| Crow C Nr Hayward Ca | 1 cfs | → |
| San Lorenzo C A San Lorenzo Ca | 5 cfs | → |
| San Lorenzo C Ab Don Castro Res Nr Castro V Ca | 1 cfs | → |
| San Lorenzo C A Hayward Ca | 3 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Lafayette.
Boat launches
- San Francisco Bay Trail, Berkeley
- San Francisco Bay Trail, Oakland
- Powell Street 3310, Emeryville
- Doolittle Drive 7250, Oakland
- Mckay Avenue 1200, Alameda
- Pan American Esplanade San Francisco
Campgrounds
Fishing spots
- Lafayette Reservoir
- Lake Temescal
- San Pablo Reservoir
- Berkeley Yacht Harbor
- Chabot Lake
- City Of Benicia Fishing Pier
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 Lafayette 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 Lafayette
Where does the data for Lafayette 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 Lafayette.