Brea Dam - Saddle Dike 1 dam
Brea Dam - Saddle Dike 1
Brea Dam - Saddle Dike 1, also known as Brea Reservoir, is a vital structure in Orange County, California, owned and operated by the US Army Corps of Engineers. Completed in 1942, this earth dam stands at a height of 87 feet and serves primarily for flood risk reduction along Brea Creek. With a storage capacity of 7420 acre-feet, this dam plays a crucial role in managing water levels and protecting downstream communities from potential flooding events.
Although the dam's condition assessment is currently not available, it has a high hazard potential, which necessitates proactive risk management measures. The US Army Corps of Engineers regularly monitors and maintains the dam to ensure its structural integrity and readiness for emergencies. They work closely with local agencies and communities to develop emergency action plans, conduct risk assessments, and update mitigation strategies to address any potential threats. Overall, Brea Dam - Saddle Dike 1 plays a critical role in safeguarding the surrounding area from flood risks, highlighting the importance of water resource management and climate resilience in the region.
As water resource and climate enthusiasts, understanding the complexities and challenges associated with dam management is crucial for ensuring the safety and sustainability of our communities. Brea Dam - Saddle Dike 1 exemplifies the intricate balance between flood risk reduction, recreational use, and environmental protection. By staying informed and engaged in dam safety practices, we can help support the efforts of organizations like the US Army Corps of Engineers in effectively managing water resources and mitigating climate-related risks in our 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 Brea Dam - Saddle Dike 1 -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Brea C Bl Brea Dam Nr Fullerton Ca | 0 cfs | → |
| Fullerton C Bl Fullerton Dam Nr Brea Ca | 1 cfs | → |
| Carbon C Bl Carbon Cyn Dam Ca | · | → |
| Santiago C A Santa Ana Ca | · | → |
| Santa Ana R A Santa Ana Ca | · | → |
| San Gabriel R Ab Whittier Narrows Dam Ca | 16 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Brea Dam - Saddle Dike 1.
Boat launches
Campgrounds
- Chino Hills - State Park
- Los Alamitos Army Military
- Dad's Camping
- Seabreeze At Seal Beach Military
- Bohelli Regional Park
- Bolsa Chica State Beach
Fishing spots
Paddle runs
- 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)
- West Fork - Headwaters (Se 1/4, Ne 1/4, Sec 14, T2n, R12w) To Cogswell Reservoir (Ne 1/4, Sw 1/4, Sec 24, T2n, R9w
- Laurel Gulch To Confluence With Mineo Canyon (Se 1/4, Sw 1/4, Sec 17, T2n, R8w)
- North Fork - Confluence Of Soldier And Coldbrook Creeks (Se1/4,Sw1/4, Sec) 5, T2n,,R9w To Conflluence With West Fork Of San Gabriel (Sw 1/4,Sw1/4, Sec 17, T2n, R8w)
- Cooper Canyon- Near State Highway 2 (Sw 1/4, Ne 1/4, Sec 16, T3n, R10w To Confluence With Little Rock Creek
- Mainstream - Confluence With Cooper Canyon To Confluence Wit South Fork Little Rock Creek
Track Brea Dam - Saddle Dike 1 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 Brea Dam - Saddle Dike 1
Where does the data for Brea Dam - Saddle Dike 1 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 Brea Dam - Saddle Dike 1.