Sunset North Basin dam
Sunset North Basin
Sunset North Basin, also known as Sunset Reservoir, is a vital water resource infrastructure located in San Francisco, California. Constructed in 1938, this offstream earth dam stands at a height of 74 feet and has a hydraulic height of 72 feet, providing a maximum storage capacity of 275 acre-feet. With a surface area of 12 acres, this dam serves as a key component for water supply purposes in the region.
Managed by the local government, Sunset North Basin is regulated and inspected by the Department of Water Resources and Safety of Dams to ensure its safety and proper functioning. Despite its high hazard potential, the dam has been assessed as satisfactory in condition, with the last inspection conducted in February 2020. The emergency action plan for the dam is being regularly updated to meet guidelines and ensure the safety of the surrounding community in case of any unforeseen events.
Situated in a scenic location in San Francisco, Sunset North Basin plays a crucial role in water management and supply for the area. With its historical significance and ongoing maintenance efforts, this dam continues to be a significant asset for water resource and climate enthusiasts looking to understand the intersection of infrastructure and environmental stewardship in the region.
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 Sunset North Basin -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Redwood C A Hwy 1 Bridge A Muir Beach Ca | 2 cfs | → |
| Corte Madera C A Ross Ca | 4 cfs | → |
| Pilarcitos C Bl Stone Dam Nr Hillsborough Ca | 4 cfs | → |
| San Mateo C Bl Lo Crystal Sp Res Nr San Mateo Ca | 4 cfs | → |
| San Lorenzo C A San Lorenzo Ca | 12 cfs | → |
| Pilarcitos C A Half Moon Bay Ca | 9 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Sunset North Basin.
Boat launches
- Harding Road San Francisco
- Pier 52 Boat Launch
- Turney Street Boat Ramp
- Pan American Esplanade San Francisco
- Northpoint Drive 1235, San Francisco
- San Francisco Bay Trail, South San Francisco
Campgrounds
- Rob Hill Campground
- Aquatic Park Cove
- Kirby Cove Campground
- Bicentennial Campground
- Candlestick Rv Park
- Hawk Camp Campground
Fishing spots
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
Track Sunset North Basin 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 Sunset North Basin
Where does the data for Sunset North Basin 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 Sunset North Basin.