Case Springs Dam dam
Case Springs Dam
Case Springs Dam, also known as Case Spring Lake, is a federal-owned structure located in San Diego, California, under the jurisdiction of the US Marine Corps. Built in 1900, this earth dam stands at 51 feet tall with a storage capacity of 86 acre-feet. Its primary purposes include fire protection, stock, or small fish pond, and it also serves as a recreational area.
The dam, with a length of 590 feet and a surface area of 3.7 acres, is designed to regulate the flow of the TR-San Onofre Creek. With a low hazard potential and fair condition assessment, Case Springs Dam has a moderate risk rating. The structure features an uncontrolled spillway with a width of 8 feet and is maintained by the US Navy, who also funded, designed, and constructed the dam.
Despite not being regulated by the state, the dam undergoes inspections every three years, with the last assessment conducted in June 2017. Although no associated structures or locks are present, Case Springs Dam plays a crucial role in water resource management, providing essential services for fire protection and recreational activities in the area. Its historical significance and continued maintenance ensure the safety and functionality of this vital infrastructure for the community and surrounding environment.
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 Case Springs Dam -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| San Mateo C Nr San Clemente Ca | 166 cfs | → |
| De Luz C Nr De Luz Ca | · | → |
| Cristianitos C Ab San Mateo C Nr San Clemente Ca | · | → |
| Fallbrook C Nr Fallbrook Ca | 0 cfs | → |
| San Onofre C A San Onofre Ca | 0 cfs | → |
| Oneill Lk Spill Ch Nr Fallbrook Ca | · | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Case Springs Dam.
Boat launches
- Goetz Road Riverside County
- Vacation Drive 28736, Canyon Lake
- Warren Road 37701, Temecula
- Vail Lake Boat Ramp
Campgrounds
- Fisherman's Camp
- Ortega Flats Campground
- Bluffs - San Onofre State Beach
- Ortega Flats - Caspers Wilderness Co Park
- San Juan Meadow Group Area
- San Mateo - San Onofre State Beach
Fishing spots
Paddle runs
- Devil Canyon Tributary To San Mateo Creek
- San Mateo Wilderness Boundary To Nf Boundary With Camp Pendleton
- Santa Margarita River
- Confluence Of Fry And Iron Spring Creeks (E1/2, Sec 3, T10s,R1e To Se1/4 Sec 16, T10s, R2e
- Forest Boundary, Above Zoo Creek Below Spillway (S1/2, Sec 3, T11s, R2e) To La Jolla Indian Reservation Boundary (N1/2, Sec 31, T10s, R2e)
Track Case Springs Dam 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 Case Springs Dam
Where does the data for Case Springs Dam 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 Low 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 Case Springs Dam.