Los Padres dam
Los Padres
Los Padres is a privately-owned dam located in Monterey, California, specifically in the city of Carmel Valley Village. Completed in 1949, this earth dam stands at a height of 148 feet, with a hydraulic height of 130 feet, and a length of 570 feet. Its primary purpose is flood risk reduction, serving to protect the surrounding area from potential water-related disasters. The dam has a storage capacity of 3100 acre-feet, primarily sourced from the Carmel River, and covers a surface area of 67 acres with a drainage area of 44.9 square miles.
Managed by the California Department of Water Resources (DWR) under the Safety of Dams program, Los Padres is regulated, permitted, inspected, and enforced by state agencies to ensure its safety and compliance with regulations. Despite being classified as having a high hazard potential, the dam's condition assessment in 2017 deemed it satisfactory. The last inspection in March 2020 revealed no major concerns, with an inspection frequency of one year to monitor its structural integrity and performance. In the event of emergencies, there are protocols in place, although details on emergency action plans (EAP) and risk management measures are not explicitly outlined in the available data.
Los Padres plays a crucial role in flood risk reduction and water supply for the local community, contributing to the overall water resource management efforts in the region. The dam's location on the Carmel River and its proximity to the Sacramento District of the US Army Corps of Engineers highlight its significance in protecting the area from potential flooding events. With the support of state agencies and regular inspections, Los Padres continues to serve its purpose effectively, ensuring the safety and security of the residents and environment it safeguards.
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 Los Padres -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Carmel R A Robles Del Rio Ca | 10 cfs | → |
| Big Sur R Nr Big Sur Ca | 20 cfs | → |
| Salinas R Nr Chualar Ca | 81 cfs | → |
| Carmel R Nr Carmel Ca | 5 cfs | → |
| Salinas R Nr Spreckels Ca | 27 cfs | → |
| Arroyo Seco Bl Reliz C Nr Soledad Ca | · | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Los Padres.
Boat launches
See all →
Campgrounds
See all →
Fishing spots
See all →
River runs
See all →
About Los Padres
Where does the data for Los Padres 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 below 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.
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.