Lopez Dam

Lopez Dam Quick Facts

Location: San Luis Obispo, California
Coordinates: 35.1887, -120.4892
River: Arroyo Grande Cr River
Primary Purpose: Water Supply
Type: Earth
Commissioned: 1969
Dam Height: 166 ft (51 m)
Dam Length: 1,120 ft (341 m)
Dam Capacity: 52,500 acre-ft (64,758 Ml)
Condition Assessment: Satisfactory
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Lopez Dam Map

Lopez Dam Information

Lopez Dam is an earthen embankment dam located about 6.5 miles from Arroyo Grande, San Luis Obispo, California.

The dam, which is on the Arroyo Grande Cr River, was primarily built for Water Supply purposes, but also serves for Irrigation and Recreation benefits.

The dam was designed by and commissioned in 1969 and is currently owned by San Luis Obispo County Flood Control and Water Conservation District.

Lopez Dam Structure

The Lopez Dam is approximately 1,120 feet (341 m) long, 166 feet (51 m) high and has a structural volume of 3,538,000 cubic yards (2,704,996 cubic metres).

Lopez Dam Storage Capacity & Surface Area

The reservoir has a normal storage capacity of acre-ft (0 Ml) and maximum capacity of 52,500 acre-ft (64,758 Ml).

The surface area of the reservoir is 950 acres (384 ha) and the total catchment area is 68 square miles (176 square kilometres).

Lopez Dam Spillway

According to the latest available data, the Lopez Dam does not have any spillways.

Lopez Dam Compared to Five Famous American Dams

Height (ft)
Length (Ft)
Storage Volume (acre-ft)
Drainage Area (sq miles)
 
Lopez Dam
San Luis Obispo, California
Height (ft)
166
Length (Ft)
1,120
Storage Volume (acre-ft)
52,500
Drainage Area (sq miles)
68
Hoover Dam
Clark County, Nevada
Height (ft)
730
Length (Ft)
1,244
Storage Volume (acre-ft)
30,237,000
Drainage Area (sq miles)
167,800
Grand Coulee Dam
Okanogan County, Washington
Height (ft)
550
Length (Ft)
5,673
Storage Volume (acre-ft)
9,562,0000
Drainage Area (sq miles)
74,100
Theodore Roosevelt Dam
Maricopa County, Arizona
Height (ft)
357
Length (Ft)
1,208
Storage Volume (acre-ft)
3,411,500
Drainage Area (sq miles)
5,736
Oroville Dam
Butte County, California
Height (ft)
235
Length (Ft)
6,920
Storage Volume (acre-ft)
3,540,000
Drainage Area (sq miles)
3,611
Glen Canyon Dam
Coconino County, Arizona
Height (ft)
216
Length (Ft)
1,565
Storage Volume (acre-ft)
29,875,000
Drainage Area (sq miles)
108,355

Lopez Dam Weather

Current Conditions at Lopez Dam

Parameter Value
Current Time 22:18
Sunrise 07:08
Sunset 18:26
Temperature (°F) 58
Feels Like (°F) 58
Cloud Coverage (%) 100
Pressure (inHg) 1015
Humidity (%) 88
Wind Speed (mph) 0
Rain (mm) 0

7-Day Forecast for Lopez Dam

Day Min Temp (°F) Max Temp (°F) Feels Like (°F) Pressure (inHg) Humidity (%) Wind Speed (mph) Wind Gust (mph) Wind Dir Precip Prob (%) Precip Volume (mm) Weather
Today 57 75 75 1016 45 7 8 WSW 0 - clear sky
Wed 57 75 73 1014 43 8 9 W 0 - overcast clouds
Thu 48 69 67 1011 32 10 10 W 0 - clear sky
Fri 45 69 62 1015 19 12 17 NE 0 - clear sky
Sat 50 70 67 1018 11 11 8 SW 0 - clear sky
Sun 52 74 70 1020 10 8 7 WSW 0 - clear sky
Mon 55 78 75 1015 10 6 6 WSW 0 - scattered clouds
Tue 56 77 72 1016 13 7 5 SW 0 - broken clouds

Lopez Dam Frequently Asked Questions

In which state is the Lopez Dam?

Lopez Dam is in California.

In which county is the Lopez Dam?

Lopez Dam is in San Luis Obispo County.

How high is the Lopez Dam?

Lopez Dam is 166 feet high.

How long is the Lopez Dam?

Lopez Dam is 1,120 feet long.

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More Dams in San Luis Obispo County:

Lopez Dam
Nacimiento Dam
Salinas Dam
Whale Rock Dam

Condition Assessment Classification

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. Note: Rare or extreme event is defined by the regulatory agency based on their minimum

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. Investigations and studies are necessary.

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.

Not Available

Dams for which the condition assessment is restricted to approved government users.

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, environment 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.

Not Available

Dams for which the downstream hazard potential is restricted to approved government users.

Source: National Inventory of Dams

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