Stevens Creek dam
Stevens Creek
Stevens Creek, located in Cupertino, California, is a vital water resource managed by a public utility for water supply purposes, including irrigation. The dam, completed in 1935, stands at a height of 132 feet and has a maximum storage capacity of 3800 acre-feet. With a surface area of 95 acres and a drainage area of 17.5 square miles, Stevens Creek Reservoir plays a crucial role in providing water to the surrounding area.
This Earth-type dam on Stevens Creek has a hydraulic height of 112.76 feet and is regulated by the California Department of Water Resources for safety. Despite its high hazard potential, the dam is deemed to be in satisfactory condition as per the last assessment in September 2017. Regular inspections are carried out to ensure the structural integrity of the dam, with the last inspection conducted in April 2020. The emergency action plan for the dam was last revised in September 2018, indicating a proactive approach to risk management.
With its important role in water supply and irrigation, Stevens Creek Reservoir is a key asset in the region's water management infrastructure. Climate enthusiasts and water resource experts can appreciate the detailed data available on the dam, highlighting its significance in ensuring water security for the community it serves.
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 Stevens Creek -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Saratoga C A Saratoga Ca | 4 cfs | → |
| Matadero C A Palo Alto Ca | 0 cfs | → |
| Guadalupe R Abv Hwy 101 A San Jose Ca | 38 cfs | → |
| San Francisquito C A Stanford University Ca | 6 cfs | → |
| Coyote C Ab Hwy 237 A Milipitas Ca | 13 cfs | → |
| Pescadero C Nr Pescadero Ca | 16 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Stevens Creek.
Boat launches
- Stevens Creek Reservoir
- Santa Clara County
- Palo Alto Boat Launch
- San Francisco Bay Trail East Palo Alto
- Chelsea Drive 5094, Newark
- Mckean Road 22707-22725, San Jose
Campgrounds
- Walden West Outdoor School
- Sanborn - Skyline County Park
- Black Mountain Backpack Camp
- Walk-In Camps
- Main Camp
- Frog Flat Camp
Fishing spots
Paddle runs
Track Stevens 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 Stevens Creek
Where does the data for Stevens 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 Stevens Creek.