Upper Settling Basin dam
Upper Settling Basin
The Upper Settling Basin, located in Santa Clara, California, is a private water resource structure regulated by the Department of Water Resources (DWR) for safety and compliance. This Earth-type dam, standing at a height of 57.9 feet with a storage capacity of 40 acre-feet, serves primarily as a water supply reservoir for the surrounding area. Despite being classified as low-hazard potential with fair condition assessment, the dam is subject to regular inspections and enforcement to ensure its continued safety and functionality.
Managed by a private owner, the Upper Settling Basin plays a crucial role in water supply and tailings management in the region. The dam, completed at an unknown date, features a hydraulic height of 54.9 feet and a length of 120 feet. With its strategic location in an unnamed river or stream, the basin contributes to water resource management efforts in the area. Despite its relatively low hazard potential, the dam is subject to state regulations, inspections, and enforcement to mitigate any potential risks.
The Upper Settling Basin, situated within the Sacramento District, showcases the intersection of water resource management and climate resilience. With a focus on water supply and tailings management, this private-owned dam is a key player in ensuring sustainable water access for the community. As it continues to be monitored and regulated by state agencies, the basin's role in mitigating water-related risks and supporting environmental sustainability remains essential 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 Upper Settling Basin -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Saratoga C A Saratoga Ca | 4 cfs | → |
| Matadero C A Palo Alto Ca | 0 cfs | → |
| San Francisquito C A Stanford University Ca | 6 cfs | → |
| Guadalupe R Abv Hwy 101 A San Jose Ca | 38 cfs | → |
| Coyote C Ab Hwy 237 A Milipitas Ca | 13 cfs | → |
| Pescadero C Nr Pescadero Ca | 16 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Upper Settling Basin.
Boat launches
- Stevens Creek Reservoir
- Santa Clara County
- Palo Alto Boat Launch
- San Francisco Bay Trail East Palo Alto
- Chelsea Drive 5094, Newark
- Lake Elizabeth Boat Ramp
Campgrounds
- Black Mountain Backpack Camp
- Walden West Outdoor School
- Sanborn - Skyline County Park
- Main Camp
- Frog Flat Camp
- Walk-In Camps
Fishing spots
Paddle runs
More reservoirs
Track Upper Settling 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 Upper Settling Basin
Where does the data for Upper Settling 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 Upper Settling Basin.