Lake Hemet dam
Lake Hemet
Lake Hemet, located in Riverside County, California, is a gravity dam constructed in 1895 primarily for water supply purposes, serving irrigation and water supply needs in the region. With a height of 135 feet and a storage capacity of 14,000 acre-feet, the dam stands as a vital infrastructure for managing water resources in the area. The dam is regulated and inspected by the California Department of Water Resources for safety and compliance, ensuring its satisfactory condition for continued operation.
The dam impounds the waters of the Tr San Jacinto River, creating a reservoir with a surface area of 470 acres and a drainage area of 65.8 square miles. Despite its high hazard potential, the dam has been assessed as satisfactory, with an emergency action plan in place to address any potential risks. The surrounding area of Valle Vista benefits from the reservoir's water supply, demonstrating the crucial role Lake Hemet plays in supporting both agricultural and domestic water needs in the region.
With its long history of providing water resources to the community, Lake Hemet stands as a symbol of sustainable water management in California. The dam's strategic location and efficient operation underscore its importance in securing water supply for the area, while its compliance with state regulations and regular inspections ensure the safety and reliability of this critical infrastructure. For water resource and climate enthusiasts, Lake Hemet serves as a fascinating example of how man-made structures can play a pivotal role in shaping the hydrological landscape and supporting environmental sustainability.
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 Lake Hemet -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| San Jacinto R Nr San Jacinto | 0 cfs | → |
| Murray Cyn C Nr Palm Springs Ca | · | → |
| Andreas C Nr Palm Springs Ca | 1 cfs | → |
| Palm Cyn C Nr Palm Springs Ca | · | → |
| Tahquitz C Nr Palm Springs Ca | 1 cfs | → |
| Chino Cyn C Bl Tramway Nr Palm Springs Ca | · | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Lake Hemet.
Boat launches
- Anglers Landing, Mountain Center
- Vail Lake Boat Ramp
- Warren Road 37701, Temecula
- Highway 76 26439, Santa Ysabel
- Goetz Road Riverside County
Campgrounds
Fishing spots
Paddle runs
- Palm Canyon
- Mission Creek
- Confluence Of Fry And Iron Spring Creeks (E1/2, Sec 3, T10s,R1e To Se1/4 Sec 16, T10s, R2e
- South Fork - Wilderness Boundary/Sfdiversion Dam To Confluence With Mainstream
- West Fork Mission Creek
More reservoirs
Track Lake Hemet 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 Lake Hemet
Where does the data for Lake Hemet 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 Lake Hemet.