Fisher Creek dam
Fisher Creek
Located in Coyote Valley, California, Fisher Creek is a privately-owned dam that serves the primary purpose of flood risk reduction. Completed in 2008, this earth dam stands at a height of 14 feet and has a hydraulic height of 11.9 feet, providing a storage capacity of 1573 acre-feet. With a surface area of 150 acres and a drainage area of 0.56 square miles, Fisher Creek plays a crucial role in managing water resources in the region.
The dam is regulated by the California Department of Water Resources (DWR) and undergoes regular inspections to ensure its safety and functionality. With a low hazard potential and a satisfactory condition assessment, Fisher Creek poses minimal risk to surrounding areas in the event of an emergency. Despite its modest size, the dam contributes to water supply and flood protection efforts in the Santa Clara County, highlighting its importance in the local water resource management network.
Managed under the jurisdiction of the state and with oversight from various agencies, Fisher Creek demonstrates the collaborative effort to maintain water infrastructure in California. As climate change continues to impact water resources, dams like Fisher Creek play a critical role in mitigating flood risks and ensuring water supply stability for the community. With its strategic location and design, Fisher Creek stands as a reliable asset in the region's efforts to adapt to changing climate patterns and safeguard water resources for future generations.
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 Fisher Creek -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Coyote C Bl Coyote Res Nr San Martin Ca | 7 cfs | → |
| Guadalupe R Abv Hwy 101 A San Jose Ca | 35 cfs | → |
| Saratoga C A Saratoga Ca | 5 cfs | → |
| Coyote C Nr Gilroy Ca | 2 cfs | → |
| Arroyo Hondo Nr San Jose Ca | 8 cfs | → |
| Coyote C Ab Hwy 237 A Milipitas Ca | 15 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Fisher Creek.
Boat launches
- Mckean Road 22707-22725, San Jose
- Oak Glen Avenue 17655, Morgan Hill
- Uvas Road 15000-15208, Morgan Hill
- Coyote Lake Road 10700-12746, Gilroy
- Pinto Lake City Park
- Stevens Creek Reservoir
Campgrounds
- Woodland Youth Camp
- Uvas Canyon County Park
- Grant County Park
- Camp Loma (Future Farmers Of America)
- Frog Lake Camp
- Hq Horse Camp
Fishing spots
More reservoirs
Track Fisher Creek 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 Fisher Creek
Where does the data for Fisher Creek 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 Fisher Creek.