Nacimiento dam
Nacimiento
Nacimiento Dam, located in San Luis Obispo, California, is a vital water resource structure managed by the local government. Completed in 1956, this Earth dam stands at a impressive height of 210 feet and serves multiple purposes including flood risk reduction, hydroelectric power generation, irrigation, recreation, and water supply. With a storage capacity of 470,000 acre-feet and a maximum discharge rate of 102,400 cubic feet per second, Nacimiento Dam plays a crucial role in water management in the region.
Owned and regulated by the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission, Nacimiento Dam is subject to regular inspections to ensure its safety and functionality. With a high hazard potential and a very high risk assessment rating, the dam is closely monitored for any potential issues. While the condition assessment is not currently available, emergency action plans are in place to address any unforeseen events. The surrounding area benefits from the dam's presence, with a surface area of 5,400 acres and a drainage area of 330 square miles.
Overall, Nacimiento Dam is a key infrastructure project that not only provides essential water management services but also supports various recreational activities and environmental benefits. As climate change continues to impact water resources, structures like Nacimiento Dam will play a crucial role in ensuring water security and sustainability for 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 Nacimiento -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Nacimiento R Bl Nacimiento Dam Nr Bradley Ca | 264 cfs | → |
| Salinas R Nr Bradley Ca | 367 cfs | → |
| Nacimiento R Bl Sapaque C Nr Bryson Ca | 2 cfs | → |
| Estrella R Nr Estrella Ca | 0 cfs | → |
| Salinas R A Paso Robles Ca | 1 cfs | → |
| San Antonio R Nr Lockwood Ca | · | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Nacimiento .
Boat launches
- Resort Drive San Luis Obispo County
- Resort Drive, Paso Robles
- Village Road San Luis Obispo County
- Lynch Road, Bradley
- Saddle Way San Luis Obispo County
- Mistletoe Lane San Luis Obispo County
Campgrounds
- Lake Nacimiento
- Quails Roost Campground
- Oak Knoll Campground
- Eagles Ridge Campground
- Pine Knoll Campground
- South Shore San Antonio
Fishing spots
- Nacimiento Lake
- Lake Nacimiento
- Lake San Antonio
- Barney Schwartz Park Lake
- Franklin Hot Springs
- Whale Rock Reservoir
Paddle runs
Track Nacimiento 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 Nacimiento
Where does the data for Nacimiento 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 Nacimiento .