Elmer J. Chesbro dam
Elmer J. Chesbro
Elmer J. Chesbro, also known as Chesbro Reservoir, is a vital water resource located in Morgan Hill, California. Managed by a Public Utility, this reservoir plays a crucial role in flood risk reduction, irrigation, and water supply in the region. Built in 1955, this earth dam stands at a height of 95 feet and has a storage capacity of 8086 acre-feet, serving as a lifeline for the surrounding areas.
Situated on Llagas Creek in Santa Clara County, Elmer J. Chesbro is regulated by the California Department of Water Resources and undergoes regular inspections to ensure its structural integrity. With a surface area of 328 acres and a drainage area of 19.5 square miles, this reservoir has a high hazard potential but is currently assessed to be in satisfactory condition. Its strategic location and efficient management make it a key asset in the region's water management infrastructure.
Despite its age, Elmer J. Chesbro continues to meet the water needs of the community while mitigating flood risks along the Llagas Creek. With its historical significance and ongoing maintenance efforts, this reservoir stands as a testament to effective water resource management in the face of changing climate patterns. Enthusiasts of water resources and climate resilience can appreciate the vital role that Elmer J. Chesbro plays in ensuring water security and environmental protection in the region.
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 Elmer J. Chesbro -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Coyote C Bl Coyote Res Nr San Martin Ca | 10 cfs | → |
| Coyote C Nr Gilroy Ca | 3 cfs | → |
| Llagas C Nr Gilroy | 12 cfs | → |
| Corralitos C A Freedom Ca | 1 cfs | → |
| Pajaro R A Chittenden Ca | 43 cfs | → |
| Soquel C A Soquel Ca | 13 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Elmer J. Chesbro.
Boat launches
- Oak Glen Avenue 17655, Morgan Hill
- Uvas Road 15000-15208, Morgan Hill
- Mckean Road 22707-22725, San Jose
- Coyote Lake Road 10700-12746, Gilroy
- Pinto Lake City Park
- Rountree Lane Santa Cruz County
Campgrounds
- Uvas Canyon County Park
- West Deer Pen Youth Camp
- Manzanita Group Camp
- Arrowhead Group Camp
- Huckleberry Group Camp
- Mount Madonna
Fishing spots
Paddle runs
- Gold Creek To Three Pools (Opal Creek Run)
- Headwaters North Fork Little Sur To Boy Scout Camp
- Boy Scout Camp To Confluence With Mainstem Little Sur
- Headwaters South Fork Little Sur To Confluence With Mainstem Little Sur
More reservoirs
Track Elmer J. Chesbro 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 Elmer J. Chesbro
Where does the data for Elmer J. Chesbro 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 Elmer J. Chesbro.