Diamond Valley Lake dam
Diamond Valley Lake
Diamond Valley Lake, located in Winchester, California, is a stunning reservoir primarily used for water supply but also offering recreational opportunities. Completed in 2000, this earth dam stands at an impressive height of 284 feet and has a storage capacity of 800,000 acre-feet. With a surface area of 4860 acres, the lake provides a vital resource for the surrounding area while also serving as a recreational destination for visitors.
Managed by a public utility, Diamond Valley Lake is regulated by the California Department of Water Resources (DWR) for safety and inspection. The dam has a high hazard potential but is currently rated as satisfactory in condition, with the last assessment conducted in September 2017. The reservoir is situated on the Domenigoni Valley Creek and is under the jurisdiction of the state of California, ensuring that it meets all necessary permitting, inspection, and enforcement requirements to maintain its operations.
Visitors to Diamond Valley Lake can enjoy various water-based activities and nature experiences within its picturesque setting. With its strategic location in Riverside County and close proximity to the city of Winchester, the reservoir serves as a vital water source for the region while offering a tranquil escape for water resource and climate enthusiasts alike.
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 Diamond Valley Lake -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Salt C A Murrieta Rd Nr Sun City Ca | · | → |
| San Jacinto R Nr Sun City Ca | · | → |
| Perris Valley Storm Dr A Nuevo Rd Nr Perris Ca | · | → |
| Warm Springs C Nr Murrieta Ca | 5 cfs | → |
| Santa Gertrudis C Nr Temecula Ca | · | → |
| San Jacinto R Nr Elsinore Ca | 0 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Diamond Valley Lake.
Boat launches
- Warren Road 37701, Temecula
- Goetz Road Riverside County
- Vacation Drive 28736, Canyon Lake
- Vail Lake Boat Ramp
- Anglers Landing, Mountain Center
Campgrounds
Fishing spots
Paddle runs
- Santa Margarita River
- San Mateo Wilderness Boundary To Nf Boundary With Camp Pendleton
- Devil Canyon Tributary To San Mateo Creek
- Confluence Of Fry And Iron Spring Creeks (E1/2, Sec 3, T10s,R1e To Se1/4 Sec 16, T10s, R2e
- East Fork Headwaters To Confluence With South Fork
Track Diamond Valley Lake 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 Diamond Valley Lake
Where does the data for Diamond Valley Lake 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 Diamond Valley Lake.