Calero dam
Calero
Calero Reservoir, located in San Jose, California, is a vital water supply source managed by a public utility. Built in 1935, this Earth dam stands at 90 feet in height and has a storage capacity of 9,850 acre-feet, serving multiple purposes including irrigation, recreation, tailings, and water supply. The reservoir is situated along Calero Creek and covers a surface area of 337 acres, with a drainage area of 7.14 square miles.
Despite being classified as having a high hazard potential, Calero Reservoir is deemed to be in fair condition based on a 2017 assessment. The dam undergoes regular inspections, with the last one conducted in December 2020. Notable for its role in supplying water to the surrounding area, including Santa Clara County, this structure plays a crucial role in water resource management and climate resilience efforts in the region. With its impressive history and continued importance, Calero Reservoir remains a key asset for water management in California.
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 Calero -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Coyote C Bl Coyote Res Nr San Martin Ca | 9 cfs | → |
| Saratoga C A Saratoga Ca | 4 cfs | → |
| Guadalupe R Abv Hwy 101 A San Jose Ca | 34 cfs | → |
| Soquel C A Soquel Ca | 11 cfs | → |
| Corralitos C A Freedom Ca | 1 cfs | → |
| Coyote C Nr Gilroy Ca | 3 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Calero.
Boat launches
- Mckean Road 22707-22725, San Jose
- Oak Glen Avenue 17655, Morgan Hill
- Uvas Road 15000-15208, Morgan Hill
- Coyote Lake Road 10700-12746, Gilroy
- Pinto Lake City Park
- Stevens Creek Reservoir
Campgrounds
- Uvas Canyon County Park
- Camp Loma (Future Farmers Of America)
- West Ridge Trail Camp
- Woodland Youth Camp
- Grant County Park
- West Deer Pen Youth Camp
Fishing spots
- Calero Reservoir
- Uvas Reservoir
- Anderson Lake
- Campbell Perc Pond
- Lexington Reservoir
- Lake Ranch Reservoir
More reservoirs
Track Calero 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 Calero
Where does the data for Calero 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 Calero.