Did you know Contra Costa Water District is responsible for operating six dams and levees? Unless you live near one of these facilities, you might not have given them much thought. However, these facilities are paramount to the delivery of a reliable supply of high-quality drinking water to your home or business.
Safety is the highest priority at Contra Costa Water District and that includes our commitment to structurally sound and secure dams and levees. In fact, the safety of these facilities is so important, we have a dedicated Dam Safety Program as well as 24-hour monitoring. Staff are available every hour of every day to monitor, inspect and respond to any incident.
From pumping Delta water to long term storage, these dams and levees ensure we can serve you day in and day out—without them, our ability to deliver water to you would be much different than it is today. None of our levees or dams block the natural flow of a river.
Each of these facilities was built to the highest seismic standards of its time, which is regularly reviewed. Annual inspections by state and federal regulatory agencies confirm that the dams are well-maintained and safe for continual use. This was proven in 2019, when our Los Vaqueros Dam stood up to an earthquake centered within the watershed with no damage. Additionally, security measures are in place to protect the facilities, including intrusion alarms.
Learn more about our Dam Safety Program.
Be Prepared for an Emergency
Local community warning systems are in place to notify residents of emergencies, such as a potential dam failure or flooding. Sign up to receive notifications through your local community warning system for Contra Costa and San Joaquin County via the websites below: