Lake Ranch dam
Lake Ranch
Lake Ranch, also known as Lake Ranch Reservoir, is a significant water supply reservoir located in Saratoga, California. Owned and regulated by a public utility, this earth dam structure was completed in 1877 and stands at a height of 38 feet with a hydraulic height of 26.9 feet. The reservoir has a storage capacity of 215 acre-feet and covers an area of 18 acres, drawing water from Beardsley Creek.
Maintained by the California Department of Water Resources, Lake Ranch serves as a crucial water resource for the region, supporting various water supply purposes. Despite its fair condition assessment, the dam is classified as having significant hazard potential, highlighting the importance of regular inspections and maintenance. The last inspection in September 2020 revealed no immediate concerns, but the dam remains under close monitoring to ensure its safety and functionality in the face of changing climate conditions.
With its historical significance dating back over a century, Lake Ranch Reservoir stands as a testament to California's ongoing efforts to manage and regulate its water resources effectively. The presence of state permitting, inspection, and enforcement mechanisms ensures that the dam continues to provide essential water supply services while mitigating potential risks associated with its operation. As climate change poses new challenges to water resource management, Lake Ranch remains a vital asset in securing reliable water access 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 Lake Ranch -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Saratoga C A Saratoga Ca | 5 cfs | → |
| San Lorenzo R A Big Trees Ca | 46 cfs | → |
| Guadalupe R Abv Hwy 101 A San Jose Ca | 35 cfs | → |
| Matadero C A Palo Alto Ca | 0 cfs | → |
| Pescadero C Nr Pescadero Ca | 17 cfs | → |
| Coyote C Ab Hwy 237 A Milipitas Ca | 15 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Lake Ranch.
Boat launches
- Stevens Creek Reservoir
- Santa Clara County
- Mckean Road 22707-22725, San Jose
- Palo Alto Boat Launch
- San Francisco Bay Trail East Palo Alto
- Oak Glen Avenue 17655, Morgan Hill
Campgrounds
- Walk-In Camps
- Sanborn - Skyline County Park
- Walden West Outdoor School
- Main Camp
- Frog Flat Camp
- Boy Scouts Of America Camp
Fishing spots
Paddle runs
Track Lake Ranch 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 Lake Ranch
Where does the data for Lake Ranch 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 Significant 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 Lake Ranch.