Santiago Creek dam
Santiago Creek
Santiago Creek, also known as Irvine Lake, is a vital water resource located in Orange, California. Owned by a Public Utility, this reservoir serves as a primary water supply for irrigation and general water needs in the region. The dam, completed in 1933, stands at a height of 136 feet and has a storage capacity of 25,000 acre-feet.
With a drainage area of 63.1 square miles, Santiago Creek plays a crucial role in managing water flow and storage in the area. However, recent inspections have raised concerns about its condition, with a hazard potential rated as high and a poor condition assessment. The dam is under state regulation and inspection, highlighting the importance of ensuring its safety and functionality for the community.
As a popular destination for water resource and climate enthusiasts, Santiago Creek faces challenges that require ongoing monitoring and maintenance to mitigate risks and ensure its continued operation. With state agencies overseeing its regulation, inspection, and enforcement, efforts are being made to address the dam's poor condition and high hazard potential. As stewards of this essential water source, it is crucial to prioritize the safety and sustainability of Santiago Creek 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 Santiago Creek -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Agua Chinon Wash Nr Irvine Ca | · | → |
| Santa Ana R Bl Prado Dam Ca | 107 cfs | → |
| Santiago C A Santa Ana Ca | · | → |
| Sand Cyn C A Irvine Ca | 0 cfs | → |
| Santa Ana R A Santa Ana Ca | · | → |
| Carbon C Bl Carbon Cyn Dam Ca | · | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Santiago Creek.
⚓ Boat launches
- Eucalyptus Park Road, San Dimas
- Granada Launch Ramp - Long Beach
- Vacation Drive 28736, Canyon Lake
- Goetz Road Riverside County
⛺ Campgrounds
- Oso Lake Scout Camp
- Chino Hills - State Park
- Oneill Regional Park
- Prado Regional Park
- Deer Canyon Campground
- Upper Moro Campground
🎣 Fishing spots
- Irvine Lake (Santiago Res)
- Santa Ana River Lakes
- Anaheim Lake
- Prado Regional Park, El Lake
- Tri-City Park Lake
- Laguna Lake
🛶 Paddle runs
- San Mateo Wilderness Boundary To Nf Boundary With Camp Pendleton
- Devil Canyon Tributary To San Mateo Creek
- Laurel Gulch To Confluence With Mineo Canyon (Se 1/4, Sw 1/4, Sec 17, T2n, R8w)
- Middle Fork - Commanche Campsite To Middle Fork Trailhead
- Gaging Station Below Spillway Of Cogswell Dam (Ne 1/4, Se 1/4, Sec 19, T2n, R10w) To Confluence With Nf San Gabriel River (Sw 1/4.Sw 1/4, Sec 15, T2n, R9w)
- North Fork - Confluence Of Soldier And Coldbrook Creeks (Se1/4,Sw1/4, Sec) 5, T2n,,R9w To Conflluence With West Fork Of San Gabriel (Sw 1/4,Sw1/4, Sec 17, T2n, R8w)
Track Santiago 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 Santiago Creek
Where does the data for Santiago 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 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 Santiago Creek.