Lagunita dam
Lagunita
Lagunita, also known as Lake Lagunita, is a privately owned reservoir located in Palo Alto, California. Managed by the state regulatory agency DWR for the safety of dams, this earth dam structure serves primarily as a water supply source for irrigation, recreation, and other purposes. With a height of 16 feet and a storage capacity of 280 acre-feet, Lagunita was completed in 1900 and covers a surface area of 37 acres within a drainage area of 0.86 square miles.
Despite its small size, Lagunita has a significant impact on the local water supply and recreation opportunities in the area. The dam's high hazard potential is mitigated by regular inspections, with the last assessment conducted in January 2021, revealing a satisfactory condition. Emergency action plans are in place, and the dam meets safety guidelines, ensuring that the surrounding community remains protected in the event of any unforeseen incidents. The reservoir's proximity to an unnamed tributary to the San Francisco Bay adds to its ecological importance and showcases the interconnectedness of water resources in the region.
Lagunita's historical significance, coupled with its ongoing role in water management and recreational activities, makes it a valuable asset in the Santa Clara County landscape. As climate change continues to impact water resources, the careful regulation and maintenance of structures like Lagunita are crucial for ensuring a sustainable and resilient water supply for both current and future generations. Enthusiasts of water resources and climate action can appreciate Lagunita's unique blend of functionality, safety, and environmental stewardship in the face of evolving 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 Lagunita -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| San Francisquito C A Stanford University Ca | 6 cfs | → |
| Matadero C A Palo Alto Ca | 0 cfs | → |
| San Mateo C Bl Lo Crystal Sp Res Nr San Mateo Ca | 4 cfs | → |
| Alameda C Flood Channel A Union City Ca | 24 cfs | → |
| San Gregorio C A San Gregorio Ca | 14 cfs | → |
| Coyote C Ab Hwy 237 A Milipitas Ca | 15 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Lagunita.
Boat launches
- Palo Alto Boat Launch
- San Francisco Bay Trail East Palo Alto
- Santa Clara County
- Whidbey Lane Redwood City
- Stevens Creek Reservoir
- Chelsea Drive 5094, Newark
Campgrounds
- Black Mountain Backpack Camp
- Camp Jones Gulch Ymca
- Portola Redwoods State Park
- Slate Creek Trail Camp
- Shaw Flat Trail Camp (Primitive)
- Tarwater Trail Camp (Primitive)
Fishing spots
Paddle runs
- Gold Creek To Three Pools (Opal Creek Run)
- 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
More reservoirs
Track Lagunita 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 Lagunita
Where does the data for Lagunita 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 Lagunita.