Orchard Estates Retarding Basin dam
Orchard Estates Retarding Basin
The Orchard Estates Retarding Basin in Tustin, California, is a crucial structure owned by the local government to manage flood risk reduction in the area. Completed in 1999, this earth dam stands at 21 feet high and has a storage capacity of 138 acre-feet. Situated along Tr Rattlesnake Can, this basin covers a surface area of 11 acres and serves a drainage area of 0.63 square miles.
Maintained by the Department of Water Resources and Safety of Dams, the Orchard Estates Retarding Basin has a high hazard potential but is currently in satisfactory condition as per the last assessment in September 2017. With a regular inspection frequency of once a year, this structure is regulated by the state and has all necessary permits for operation. In case of emergencies, the basin is equipped with an Emergency Action Plan (EAP) to ensure the safety of the surrounding community.
Located in Orange County, California, the Orchard Estates Retarding Basin plays a crucial role in protecting the area from potential flood risks. With its strategic design and efficient management, this structure stands as a testament to the proactive approach taken by local authorities to safeguard water resources and address climate challenges 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 Orchard Estates Retarding Basin -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Agua Chinon Wash Nr Irvine Ca | · | → |
| Sand Cyn C A Irvine Ca | 0 cfs | → |
| Santiago C A Santa Ana Ca | · | → |
| Bonita C A Irvine Ca | 1 cfs | → |
| Santa Ana R A Santa Ana Ca | · | → |
| Santa Ana R Bl Prado Dam Ca | 107 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Orchard Estates Retarding Basin.
⚓ Boat launches
- Granada Launch Ramp - Long Beach
- Eucalyptus Park Road, San Dimas
- Vacation Drive 28736, Canyon Lake
- Goetz Road Riverside County
⛺ Campgrounds
- Oso Lake Scout Camp
- Oneill Regional Park
- Deer Canyon Campground
- Upper Moro Campground
- Lower Moro Campground
- Crystal Cove State Park - Moro Campground
🎣 Fishing spots
- Irvine Lake (Santiago Res)
- Santa Ana River Lakes
- Anaheim Lake
- Tri-City Park Lake
- Laguna Niguel Lake
- Prado Regional Park, El Lake
🛶 Paddle runs
- San Mateo Wilderness Boundary To Nf Boundary With Camp Pendleton
- Devil Canyon Tributary To San Mateo Creek
- Laurel Gulch To Confluence With Mineo Canyon (Se 1/4, Sw 1/4, Sec 17, T2n, R8w)
- Gaging Station Below Spillway Of Cogswell Dam (Ne 1/4, Se 1/4, Sec 19, T2n, R10w) To Confluence With Nf San Gabriel River (Sw 1/4.Sw 1/4, Sec 15, T2n, R9w)
- Middle Fork - Commanche Campsite To Middle Fork Trailhead
- Santa Margarita River
Track Orchard Estates Retarding 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 Orchard Estates Retarding Basin
Where does the data for Orchard Estates Retarding 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 Orchard Estates Retarding Basin.