Crocker dam
Crocker
Crocker is a significant earth dam located in Burlingame, California, along Sanchez Creek. Constructed in 1890, this dam plays a crucial role in providing water supply for irrigation and other purposes in the area. With a height of 45 feet and a hydraulic height of 35.8 feet, Crocker has a storage capacity of 22 acre-feet and covers a surface area of 2 acres.
Managed by the local government, Crocker is regulated by the Department of Water Resources and undergoes regular inspections to ensure its safety and functionality. The dam has a high hazard potential but is currently rated as satisfactory in terms of condition assessment. Emergency action plans are in place, with the last revision made in March 2021, highlighting the importance of preparedness in case of any unforeseen events.
Located in San Mateo County, California, Crocker Dam is a vital infrastructure ensuring water supply and irrigation for the surrounding area. With its historical significance dating back to the 19th century, the dam continues to serve its primary purpose effectively, while meeting regulatory standards and maintaining a satisfactory condition. For water resource and climate enthusiasts, Crocker represents a blend of engineering heritage, environmental stewardship, and modern-day water management practices.
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 Crocker -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| San Mateo C Bl Lo Crystal Sp Res Nr San Mateo Ca | 4 cfs | → |
| Pilarcitos C Bl Stone Dam Nr Hillsborough Ca | 4 cfs | → |
| Pilarcitos C A Half Moon Bay Ca | 9 cfs | → |
| San Francisquito C A Stanford University Ca | 7 cfs | → |
| San Lorenzo C A San Lorenzo Ca | 12 cfs | → |
| Matadero C A Palo Alto Ca | 0 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Crocker.
Boat launches
- Sawyer Camp Trail San Mateo County
- San Andreas Trail San Bruno
- J Hart Clinton Drive San Mateo
- San Francisco Bay Trail, South San Francisco
- Whidbey Lane Redwood City
- Harding Road San Francisco
Campgrounds
- Dispersed Camping
- Sweetwood Group Camp
- Half Moon Bay State Beach
- Candlestick Rv Park
- Rob Hill Campground
- Aquatic Park Cove
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
- Gold Creek To Three Pools (Opal Creek Run)
More reservoirs
Track Crocker 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 Crocker
Where does the data for Crocker 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 Crocker.