May 31st is National Dam Safety Awareness Day

Each year, the nation commemorates May 31^st as National Dam Safety Awareness Day. We have an important dam under construction here in Sunol Valley – the Calaveras Dam. Dams play a critical role in our water supply. 

Why is it important?

• Calaveras Reservoir, impounded by Calaveras Dam, when full provides half of Hetch Hetchy Regional Water System's Bay Area storage
• Upon completion, we will have a new seismically upgraded dam with a structural height of 220 feet, a crest length of 1210 feet and width of 80 feet at the crest and 1180 feet at the base
• It is crucial to the reliability of the water supply of 2.6 million people during emergencies and in times of drought

Today reminds us just how critical our work is here in Sunol Valley to rebuild the Calaveras Dam.

The following organizations have joined forces to commemorate National Dam Safety Awareness Day on May 31 - the Deep Foundations Institute (DFI), Association of State Dam Safety Officials, National Hydropower Association, U.S. Society on Dams and American Society of Civil Engineers. Check out their news:

https://ussdblog.wordpress.com/2016/05/30/national-organizations-commemorate-national-dam-safety-awareness-day-may-31st/

Calaveras Dam under construction today

National Dam Safety Awareness Day

As construction continues at the Calaveras Dam Replacement Project, we take a moment to recognize May 31^st as National Dam Safety Awareness Day. Each year on May 31st, the nation remembers teh devastation that occurred on May 31, 1889 in Johnston, Pennyslvania when the South Fork Dam failed. This tragic event resulted in thousands of deaths and left many homeless. The Johnston disaster was the worst dam failure in the history of the U.S.

National Dam Safety Awareness Day reminds us of the importance of dam safety and preventing future failures. Dams provide many befefits such as water supply and storage, hydropower, recreation, flood prevention and improve wildflife habitats.

 

This also reminds us how critical and important our work is here in Sunol Valley to rebuild the Calaveras Dam. We are currently 66% complete and anticipate final completion of the dam in end of 2018.

The Calaveras Replacement Dam when complete will provide us:

·         The largest drinking water reservoir in the local Bay Area storing 31 billion gallons (96,850 acre ft) of water, providing more than half of the storage capacity for 2.6 million customers

·         A new seismically upgraded dam with a structural height of 220 feet, a crest length of 1210 feet and width of 80 feet at the crest and 1180 feet at the base

·         A new 1550 ft spillway and a new intake/outlet shaft tower which will convey water to and from the reservoir through a pipeline downstream and to our Bay Area customers

 

Aerial Photo of the Calaveras Dam Replacement Project
taken on May 21, 2015