Lake Mission Viejo dam
Lake Mission Viejo
Lake Mission Viejo, located in Mission Viejo, California, is a privately owned reservoir on Oso Creek that serves primarily as a water supply source. Built in 1976, this earth-type dam stands at 123 feet in height and spans 1750 feet in length, with a storage capacity of 4300 acre-feet. The reservoir covers a surface area of 150 acres and has a drainage area of 3.6 square miles, making it a vital resource for the local community.
Despite its primary purpose of water supply, Lake Mission Viejo also offers recreational opportunities for residents and visitors to enjoy. With its picturesque setting and varied activities such as boating and fishing, the reservoir serves as a popular destination for outdoor enthusiasts. The dam's satisfactory condition assessment and high hazard potential highlight the importance of regular inspections and emergency preparedness to ensure the safety and security of the surrounding areas.
Managed by private owners and regulated by the California Department of Water Resources, Lake Mission Viejo plays a crucial role in sustaining the region's water resources and supporting the needs of the community. With its strategic location and significant storage capacity, this reservoir stands as a key asset in managing water supply and promoting resilience in the face of changing climate conditions.
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 Mission Viejo -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Agua Chinon Wash Nr Irvine Ca | · | → |
| Arroyo Trabuco A San Juan Capistrano Ca | 2 cfs | → |
| Sand Cyn C A Irvine Ca | 0 cfs | → |
| Bonita C A Irvine Ca | 0 cfs | → |
| Temescal C A Corona Lk Nr Corona Ca | · | → |
| Cristianitos C Ab San Mateo C Nr San Clemente Ca | · | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Lake Mission Viejo.
Boat launches
Campgrounds
- Oso Lake Scout Camp
- Oneill Regional Park
- Owl/Quail Group Campground
- Starr Mesa Equestrian Campground
- Caspers Wilderness Park
- Live Oak - Caspers Wilderness Co Park
Fishing spots
- Laguna Niguel Lake
- Irvine Lake (Santiago Res)
- Corona Lake
- Elsinore Lake
- Lake Elsinore
- Santa Ana River Lakes
Paddle runs
- San Mateo Wilderness Boundary To Nf Boundary With Camp Pendleton
- Devil Canyon Tributary To San Mateo Creek
- Santa Margarita River
- Middle Fork - Commanche Campsite To Middle Fork Trailhead
- Laurel Gulch To Confluence With Mineo Canyon (Se 1/4, Sw 1/4, Sec 17, T2n, R8w)
Track Lake Mission Viejo 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 Mission Viejo
Where does the data for Lake Mission Viejo 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 Mission Viejo.