Yorba Dam
Yorba
Yorba, also known as Yorba Linda Reservoir, is a significant water resource infrastructure located in Orange County, California. Owned and regulated by the local government, this earth-type dam was completed in 1907 with the primary purpose of flood risk reduction along the Tr Santa Ana River. With a height of 45 feet and a hydraulic height of 39.6 feet, Yorba has a storage capacity of 1200 acre-feet and covers a surface area of 87 acres.
Managed by the Natural Resources Conservation Service, Yorba has a high hazard potential but is currently in satisfactory condition as of the last assessment in September 2017. The dam is inspected annually, with the most recent inspection conducted in April 2020. While there are no associated structures or locks, the dam plays a crucial role in mitigating flood risks in the region and is regulated by the Department of Water Resources, Safety of Dams division.
Situated in the city of Olive, Yorba serves as an essential component of the water management infrastructure in Southern California. With its strategic location and effective flood risk reduction capabilities, Yorba contributes to the overall resilience of the region's water resources in the face of climate change and increasing hydrological challenges. As a key player in the state's water management system, Yorba exemplifies the importance of proactive dam maintenance and oversight to ensure the safety and sustainability of water resources for future generations.
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 Yorba -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Carbon C Bl Carbon Cyn Dam Ca | · | → |
| Fullerton C Bl Fullerton Dam Nr Brea Ca | 1 cfs | → |
| Brea C Bl Brea Dam Nr Fullerton Ca | 0 cfs | → |
| Santiago C A Santa Ana Ca | · | → |
| Santa Ana R Bl Prado Dam Ca | 90 cfs | → |
| Santa Ana R A Santa Ana Ca | · | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Yorba.
Boat launches
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Campgrounds
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Fishing spots
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River runs
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About Yorba
Where does the data for Yorba 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 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 dam, set a threshold, and you'll get a push the moment conditions cross.
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.