Latest News
Interpretive Center, Moved Marina expected to Reopen in May Dam at Los Vaqueros Reaches New Height Los Vaqueros Watershed To Close Nov. 21 - Dec. 10 Los Vaqueros Marina & Boat Rentals Will Close Oct. 10 Construction Closures on South Side of Reservoir Divers in the Reservoir South Side Trail Closures Starting July 11 CCWD Recognizes Expansion Partners Boaters Need To Stay Away from Dam Area Recreation Opportunities During Expansion North Side of Los Vaqueros Watershed to Close Recreation March 7 CCWD Awards Contract to Relocate Recreation Facilities for Los Vaqueros Reservoir Expansion CCWD Awards Los Vaqueros Dam Expansion Contract
Click the photo to see a larger image
How dam's height will be increased by 34-feet.
Larger inundation area for reservoir.

CCWD's Expanded Los Vaqueros Reservoir
Ensures High Quality Water,
Reliability & Environmental Protection

New! See our December construction progress video

Project Summary:

Latest LV Expansion Photos
A masive crane lifts a hydraulic cylinder used to open and close the inlet-outlet gates near the dam. See our expansion gallery to see this and other photos at the construction site. To see what's happening live, take a look at our "dam cam ."

The Contra Costa Water District is expanding its Los Vaqueros Reservoir, with construction underway now and the work being completed in 2012.

The reservoir's capacity will grow from 100,000 acre-feet to 160,000 acre-feet.  The dam will increase in height by 34 feet.

The additional water storage will help ensure high-quality water deliveries to customers, reliability during drought and protections for Delta fisheries and the environment. The project will cost $120 million.

Live Project 'Dam Cam'

Updates on the Project:

Where are we at in the construction schedule?

Dec. 8, 2011: The dam has reached its final elevation of 521 feet, 34 feet above the original dam height, which increases the reservoir capacity from 100,000 acre-feet to 160,000 acre-fee. This completes a major milestone for the project (See the Media Release). 

The total amount of soil and rock needed for the expansion of the dam was more than 1 million cubic yards.

There is still major work to be performed to complete the project.  There is over 1,000 cubic yards of structural concrete work to be performed to finish the intake structure, spillway and stilling basin; a mechanically stabilized earth (MSE) wall the entire length of the dam crest; mechanical and electrical work; and the installation of the dam instrumentation system. All of this work will be completed in the next four months and the project is projected to be finalized in April 2012, six months ahead of schedule.

On the south end of the reservoir near Livermore, the contractor has moved the Marina building up to its new higher location and is installing new piers and boat dock.

The “Rock Wall” that provides the causeway for vehicles and hikers has also been raised 34 feet to prevent inundation from the greater water elevation from the expanded reservoir. 

Have a question? Send us an e-mail or call (925) 688-8010.

Recreation

The North side of the watershed near Brentwood has been closed to the public..

The South side of the watershed near Livermore has had new restrictions on public access, but has reopened to limited shoreline fishing.

Live Project "Dam Cam"

Expansion Project Photo Gallery (Updated Feb. 10, 2012)

Expansion Videos

Update on the Expansion Project, Dec. 2011  

Update on the Expansion Project - Sept. 2011

Protecting animals during construction

Los Vaqueros History

Los Vaqueros Project Facts