Gibraltar Dam reservoir
As of July 14, 2026, Gibraltar Dam is holding 1,528 acre-ft of water — 42% of normal storage for this date. Storage data refreshed throughout the day.
Gibraltar Dam
Gibraltar Dam is a concrete gravity dam located in Santa Barbara County, California, built in 1920 for the purpose of water storage and hydroelectric power generation. The dam impounds the waters of the Gibraltar Reservoir, which is fed by runoff from the surrounding Santa Ynez Mountains and snowpack during winter months. The dam has a height of 171 feet and a length of 385 feet. It has a capacity of 4,554 acre-feet and can hold up to 147 million gallons of water. The reservoir serves as a source of water supply for the city of Santa Barbara and surrounding areas. It is also used for recreational activities such as fishing, boating, and hiking. The dam has undergone several upgrades and maintenance over the years to ensure its safety and reliability.
Daily levels at Gibraltar Dam
Storage volume, pool elevation, and total release plotted from the operating agency's daily observations.
Storage
acre-ft · code 2
Pool Elevation
ft · code 1
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 Gibraltar Dam -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Gibraltar Dam.
Boat launches
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Campgrounds
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Fishing spots
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River runs
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About Gibraltar Dam
Where does the data for Gibraltar Dam come from?
Daily storage, pool elevation, and release rates are sourced from USGS, USBR, and USACE monitoring stations. Weather forecast comes from NOAA / yr.no -- the same feed Snoflo's iOS app uses.
How often is the report updated?
Storage observations are updated daily by the operating agency. The 15-day weather forecast refreshes throughout the day. Snoflo caches and renders the most recent observation -- check the "as of" timestamp on the storage card.
What does the Hazard 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 below 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 reservoir, set a threshold, and you'll get a push the moment conditions cross.