Contra Loma dam
Contra Loma
Contra Loma is a federally owned water resource located in Contra Costa, California, managed by the Bureau of Reclamation. Completed in 1967, this earth dam stands at a height of 82 feet, with a hydraulic height of 86 feet and a structural height of 107 feet. The dam serves primarily for water supply purposes, with a storage capacity of 2,630 acre-feet and a normal storage level of 2,095 acre-feet.
With a surface area of 81 acres and a drainage area of 1 square mile, Contra Loma regulates the San Joaquin River OS. It has a spillway width of 15 feet and a maximum discharge capacity of 838 cubic feet per second. Despite its high hazard potential, the dam is classified as having a moderate risk level (3) and has not undergone a recent condition assessment. Emergency action plans have been prepared, meeting guidelines and last revised in April 2017.
Enthusiasts interested in water resources and climate will find Contra Loma a fascinating structure, with its historical significance dating back to the late 1960s. Its role in water supply management in the region, coupled with its high hazard potential and moderate risk level, present a unique case study for understanding the complexities of dam infrastructure and emergency preparedness in the face of climate uncertainties. The dam's association with the Bureau of Reclamation underscores its importance in federal water resource management, making it a compelling subject for further exploration and research.
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 Contra Loma -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Marsh C A Brentwood Ca | 0 cfs | → |
| Dutch Slough Bl Jersey Island Rd A Jersey Island | 972 cfs | → |
| San Joaquin R A Jersey Point Ca | 27,700 cfs | → |
| False R Nr Oakley Ca | 45,500 cfs | → |
| Threemile Slough Nr Rio Vista Ca | 8,260 cfs | → |
| Old R A Bacon Island Ca | 8,490 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Contra Loma.
Boat launches
- Mcavoy Road 1099, Bay Point
- Belden's Landing Boat Launch
- California Aqueduct Bikeway, Byron
- North Camino Alto Vallejo
- Curtola Parkway 139-199, Vallejo
- Doolittle Drive 7250, Oakland
Campgrounds
- Contra Costa County Fair Rv Park
- Round Valley Group Camp
- Stagecoach Group Camp
- Boundary Group Camp
- Wildcat Group Camp
- Bbq Terrace Horse Camp
Fishing spots
- Contra Loma Reservoir
- Cliff House Fishing Access Area
- Lafayette Reservoir
- City Of Benicia Fishing Pier
- 9th Street Boat Ramp
- San Pablo Reservoir
Paddle runs
- Headwaters To Mouth
- Headwaters To Ends One Quarter Mile South Of Bear Valley Road Bridge Segment 1: Ends 1/4 Mile South Of Bear Valley Road Bridge Segment 2: Caltrans Corporation Yard At Point Reyes Staton.
- Olema Ranch Campground To Caltrans Corporation Yard At Point Reyes Station
- Sunrise Avenue To Watt Avenue
Track Contra Loma 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 Contra Loma
Where does the data for Contra Loma 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 Contra Loma.