Galivan Retarding Basin dam
Galivan Retarding Basin
Galivan Retarding Basin, located in Laguna Niguel, California, along the Oso Creek, serves as a crucial water resource infrastructure owned by the local government. Completed in 2000, this earth dam stands at 14 feet high and has a storage capacity of 169 acre-feet, primarily used for water supply purposes. With a drainage area of 13.4 square miles and a surface area of 17 acres, this basin plays a vital role in water management within Orange County.
Managed and regulated by the California Department of Water Resources, the Galivan Retarding Basin has a low hazard potential and is deemed to be in satisfactory condition as of the last assessment in September 2017. Despite its relatively modest size, this structure contributes to flood control and water storage in the region, ensuring the safety and security of the surrounding communities. With regular inspections and maintenance, the basin continues to fulfill its intended purpose effectively.
Situated within the Los Angeles District of the US Army Corps of Engineers, the Galivan Retarding Basin exemplifies the intersection of water resource management and climate resilience. With its strategic location and design, this infrastructure project underscores the importance of sustainable water infrastructure to address the challenges posed by a changing climate. As water resource and climate enthusiasts, the Galivan Retarding Basin offers a compelling case study in the critical role of local government in safeguarding water supplies and enhancing community resilience in the face of environmental uncertainties.
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 Galivan Retarding Basin -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Arroyo Trabuco A San Juan Capistrano Ca | 2 cfs | → |
| Agua Chinon Wash Nr Irvine Ca | · | → |
| Sand Cyn C A Irvine Ca | 0 cfs | → |
| Cristianitos C Ab San Mateo C Nr San Clemente Ca | · | → |
| Bonita C A Irvine Ca | 1 cfs | → |
| San Mateo C Nr San Clemente Ca | 166 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Galivan Retarding Basin.
Boat launches
Campgrounds
- Upper Moro Campground
- Owl/Quail Group Campground
- Starr Mesa Equestrian Campground
- Lower Moro Campground
- Doheny State Beach
- Caspers Wilderness 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
- Laurel Gulch To Confluence With Mineo Canyon (Se 1/4, Sw 1/4, Sec 17, T2n, R8w)
- Middle Fork - Commanche Campsite To Middle Fork Trailhead
Track Galivan Retarding Basin 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 Galivan Retarding Basin
Where does the data for Galivan Retarding Basin 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 Low 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 Galivan Retarding Basin.