Harold Reservoir dam
Harold Reservoir
Harold Reservoir, also known as Palmdale Lake, is a vital water resource located in Palmdale, California. Managed by a public utility, this reservoir serves as a crucial source of irrigation and water supply in the region. Constructed in 1891, the earth dam stands at a height of 30 feet and has a storage capacity of 3,870 acre-feet. With a surface area of 218 acres and a drainage area of 4.63 square miles, Harold Reservoir plays a significant role in water management for the surrounding area.
The dam's high hazard potential is closely monitored by the Department of Water Resources (DWR) for safety and regulatory compliance. Despite its age, the reservoir's condition assessment remains satisfactory, as of the last inspection in January 2020. The emergency action plan (EAP) for Harold Reservoir is regularly updated to ensure that the reservoir meets safety guidelines and emergency response protocols. With its historical significance dating back over a century, Harold Reservoir continues to be a critical infrastructure supporting water supply and irrigation needs in the region.
Situated within the Los Angeles District, Harold Reservoir's location along the Tr Antelope Val River makes it a vital component of the water supply infrastructure in Southern California. As climate change impacts water resources, reservoirs like Harold play a crucial role in managing water availability and distribution for both agricultural and urban needs. The reservoir's operational efficiency and maintenance standards align with state regulations, ensuring a sustainable water supply for the community. With ongoing efforts to enhance risk assessment and management measures, Harold Reservoir remains a key asset in addressing the challenges of water scarcity and climate variability in the region.
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 Harold Reservoir -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Big Rock C Nr Valyermo Ca | 54 cfs | → |
| Arroyo Seco Nr Pasadena Ca | 6 cfs | → |
| Big Tujunga C Bl Hansen Dam Ca | · | → |
| San Gabriel R Bl Santa Fe Dam Nr Baldwin Pk Ca | 141 cfs | → |
| Los Angeles R A Sepulveda Dam Ca | 97 cfs | → |
| Rio Hondo Ab Whittier Narrows Dam Ca | 77 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Harold Reservoir.
Campgrounds
- Big Buck
- Pacifico Mountain Camp
- Mt. Pacifico Campground
- Mt. Pacifico
- Messenger Flats Campground
- Messenger Flats
Fishing spots
Paddle runs
- Mainstream - Confluence With South Fork Little Rock Creek To Little Rock Creek Reservoir
- Cooper Canyon- Near State Highway 2 (Sw 1/4, Ne 1/4, Sec 16, T3n, R10w To Confluence With Little Rock Creek
- Mainstream - Confluence With Cooper Canyon To Confluence Wit South Fork Little Rock Creek
- Green Valley At The Nf Boundary To Site Of St Francis Dam Disaster
- Mainstream - Headwaters To Confluence With Cooper Canyon
- West Fork - Headwaters (Se 1/4, Ne 1/4, Sec 14, T2n, R12w) To Cogswell Reservoir (Ne 1/4, Sw 1/4, Sec 24, T2n, R9w
Track Harold Reservoir 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 Harold Reservoir
Where does the data for Harold Reservoir 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 Harold Reservoir.