Rinconada Reservoir dam
Rinconada Reservoir
Rinconada Reservoir, located in Campbell, California, is a vital offstream water supply source with a primary purpose of providing water to the surrounding area. Built in 1969, this earth-type dam stands at a height of 40 feet and has a storage capacity of 46 acre-feet. The reservoir covers a surface area of 3 acres and is regulated by the California Department of Water Resources for safety and inspection.
With a high hazard potential, Rinconada Reservoir undergoes regular inspections to ensure its structural integrity and overall condition. The latest assessment in September 2017 deemed the dam to be in satisfactory condition, while the last inspection in December 2020 confirmed its compliance with safety standards. Despite its age, Rinconada Reservoir continues to provide essential water resources to the region while maintaining a secure operational status under state jurisdiction.
As a key component of the water infrastructure in Santa Clara County, Rinconada Reservoir plays a crucial role in water supply management and climate resilience efforts in the region. Its strategic location and reliable operation make it an essential asset for water resource and climate enthusiasts seeking to understand and appreciate the importance of sustainable water management practices in the face of changing environmental 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 Rinconada Reservoir -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Saratoga C A Saratoga Ca | 5 cfs | → |
| Guadalupe R Abv Hwy 101 A San Jose Ca | 35 cfs | → |
| Coyote C Ab Hwy 237 A Milipitas Ca | 14 cfs | → |
| Matadero C A Palo Alto Ca | 0 cfs | → |
| San Lorenzo R A Big Trees Ca | 48 cfs | → |
| San Francisquito C A Stanford University Ca | 8 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Rinconada Reservoir.
Boat launches
- Stevens Creek Reservoir
- Mckean Road 22707-22725, San Jose
- Santa Clara County
- Palo Alto Boat Launch
- San Francisco Bay Trail East Palo Alto
- Oak Glen Avenue 17655, Morgan Hill
Campgrounds
- Sanborn - Skyline County Park
- Walden West Outdoor School
- Walk-In Camps
- Main Camp
- Frog Flat Camp
- Boy Scouts Of America Camp
Fishing spots
Paddle runs
Track Rinconada Reservoir 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 Rinconada Reservoir
Where does the data for Rinconada Reservoir 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 Rinconada Reservoir.