Fairbanks dam
Fairbanks
Fairbanks, also known as Fairbanks Lake, is a private dam located in Del Mar, California, along the Tr San Dieguito River. Completed in 1927, this gravity dam stands at a height of 36 feet and has a storage capacity of 100 acre-feet. Its primary purpose is for irrigation and water supply, serving the local community with a surface area of 16 acres and draining an area of 1.5 square miles.
Managed by the California Department of Water Resources (DWR) and subject to state regulatory oversight, Fairbanks is classified as a high hazard potential dam with a satisfactory condition assessment as of 2017. Inspected annually, the dam has been found to meet safety standards and is equipped with emergency action plans. With Congressman Mike Levin representing the area, Fairbanks plays a crucial role in water management in San Diego County, providing vital resources for agriculture and local residents.
As an integral part of the water supply infrastructure in the region, Fairbanks highlights the importance of maintaining and regulating dams for effective water management and climate resilience. With its historical significance and ongoing operational and safety measures, Fairbanks stands as a testament to the balance between water resource development and environmental stewardship in the face of changing climate patterns.
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 Fairbanks -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Los Penasquitos C Nr Poway Ca | 3 cfs | → |
| Santa Maria C Nr Ramona Ca | · | → |
| San Diego R A Mast Rd Nr Santee Ca | 6 cfs | → |
| Guejito C Nr San Pasqual Ca | 0 cfs | → |
| San Diego R A Fashion Valley At San Diego Ca | 8 cfs | → |
| San Luis Rey R A Oceanside Ca | 2 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Fairbanks.
Boat launches
- Lake Hodges Boat Launching Area
- Lake Miramar
- Shore Drive San Diego
- Mission Bay Drive San Diego
- Santa Clara Place 1001, San Diego
Campgrounds
- San Elijo State Beach
- South Carlsbad State Beach
- Group Camp Site
- Dixon Lake
- Dos Picos
- Santee Lakes Regional Park
Fishing spots
Paddle runs
- Forest Boundary, Above Zoo Creek Below Spillway (S1/2, Sec 3, T11s, R2e) To La Jolla Indian Reservation Boundary (N1/2, Sec 31, T10s, R2e)
- Confluence Of Fry And Iron Spring Creeks (E1/2, Sec 3, T10s,R1e To Se1/4 Sec 16, T10s, R2e
- Santa Margarita River
- Devil Canyon Tributary To San Mateo Creek
- Crouch Ranch To Morena Reservoir
Track Fairbanks 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 Fairbanks
Where does the data for Fairbanks 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 Fairbanks.