Martinez dam
Martinez
Martinez, also known as Mountain View, is a federal-owned dam located in Contra Costa, California. Built in 1947 by the Bureau of Reclamation, this Earth-type dam primarily serves the purpose of water supply, with a capacity of 296 acre-feet of storage and a maximum discharge rate of 272 cubic feet per second. The dam stands at a height of 44 feet with a structural height of 62 feet, controlling the flow of Pacheco Creek OS and the Sacramento River.
Despite its age, Martinez Dam remains a critical water resource infrastructure with a high hazard potential due to its location and condition assessment, which is currently not available. The dam is monitored and regulated by the Bureau of Reclamation, with regular inspections conducted to ensure the safety and integrity of the structure. The risk assessment for Martinez Dam indicates a very high risk level, emphasizing the importance of implementing effective risk management measures to mitigate potential hazards and protect the surrounding communities.
Overall, Martinez Dam represents a crucial component of California's water supply system, showcasing the intricate balance between water resource management and climate resilience. As water resource and climate enthusiasts, understanding the significance of infrastructure like Martinez Dam highlights the ongoing challenges and responsibilities in safeguarding our natural 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 Martinez -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| San Ramon C A San Ramon Ca | 1 cfs | → |
| Cull C Ab Cull C Res Nr Castro Valley Ca | 0 cfs | → |
| Crow C Nr Hayward Ca | 1 cfs | → |
| San Lorenzo C Ab Don Castro Res Nr Castro V Ca | 1 cfs | → |
| San Lorenzo C A Hayward Ca | 3 cfs | → |
| San Lorenzo C A San Lorenzo Ca | 13 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Martinez.
⚓ Boat launches
- Mcavoy Road 1099, Bay Point
- Curtola Parkway 139-199, Vallejo
- North Camino Alto Vallejo
- Belden's Landing Boat Launch
- San Francisco Bay Trail, Berkeley
- Powell Street 3310, Emeryville
⛺ Campgrounds
- Wee-Ta-Chi
- Maud Whalen
- Homestead Valley
- Rowser Garden Camping (No Reservation Needed)
- Browers Garden Camping - No Reservation Needed
- Wildcat View Group Camp
🎣 Fishing spots
- City Of Benicia Fishing Pier
- 9th Street Boat Ramp
- Lafayette Reservoir
- San Pablo Reservoir
- Lake Temescal
- Berkeley Yacht Harbor
🛶 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
🛡 More reservoirs
More reservoirs →Track Martinez 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 Martinez
Where does the data for Martinez 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 Martinez.