Upper Castaic Lake closed today due to an elevated danger algal bloom advisory.
Castaic Dam Modernization Program
Castaic Dam in Los Angeles County is a State Water Project facility that began a modernization program in 2018.
Castaic Dam, Lake, and Lagoon are located 45 miles northwest of Los Angeles and provide water for the greater LA area. Castaic Lake supplied water to more than 4.8 million Californians in 2021. The dam was built between 1965 and 1974 as part of the California Department of Water Resources' State Water Project (SWP).
DWR is modernizing its SWP facilities across the state, including Castaic Dam. This consists of identifying and proactively addressing any issues that could impact the delivery of water or the safety of surrounding communities. In fall of 2019, DWR initiated field work for the Castaic Dam Modernization Program. Over the next several years, DWR will conduct assessments of the dam and associated structures, and undertake construction activities to ensure the dam continues to function safely.
Castaic Dam Modernization Components
Castaic Dam and Lake Statistics
Dam Lake
Height: 425 feet Storage Volume: 323,700 acre-feet or 105.5 billion gallons
Length: 4,900 feet Surface Area: 2,240 acres
Spillway Condition and Extreme Weather Assessments
- Dam safety engineers continue to monitor the concrete wall and floor panels in the spillway for movements caused by the underlying expansive bedrock. Instrumentation installed in the spillway in 2021 have been beneficial in understanding the current rate of movement, which is very slow. As the data collected over the years is showing undesirable cumulative wall displacements in some locations, interim, short-term measures to protect select wall panels are being considered and may be implemented in advance of a larger rehabilitation effort for the spillway.
- Over the years, DWR has carefully and consistently managed the reservoir’s water levels so that the spillway would not be activated due to these shifted concrete panels. Recent studies indicate that the spillway is still expected to function as intended if activated, even during extreme weather events. Climate models show that increased temperatures in California will result in more precipitation falling as rain rather than snow, which will alter river flows throughout the state and result in the potential for even larger extreme events. To account for weather pattern uncertainties and potentially larger inflows, DWR is ensuring that the spillway will function appropriately if it is needed to release water in the future.
Safety Assessment
A Safety Assessment for the overall Castaic Dam facility is being performed, starting in early 2022. The Safety Assessment’s purpose is to develop and evaluate programmatic approaches to address potential dam safety and risk concerns. To accomplish this objective, the Safety Assessment will:
- Identify treatment alternatives to reduce dam safety risk and improve reliability as well as resiliency of the dam facility
- Evaluate these treatment measures
- Develop programmatic approaches (PA)
- Recommend a selected PA for implementation
As DWR moves forward with the Castaic Dam Modernization Program, the safety assessment will inform DWR’s prioritization of projects that will reduce risks associated with the facility, as well as those projects within the State Water Project.
Earthquake Resiliency Assessments
- DWR conducted a stability analysis in 2018, which indicated the dam structure will continue to perform safely, even in the event of a major earthquake.
- However, other studies indicate that the outlet structures (the large towers that allow DWR to release water from the reservoir) are vulnerable to collapse in a major earthquake. While this would not cause the dam to fail, it would significantly reduce DWR’s ability to release water reliably therefore slowing the delivery of water to customers.
- DWR completed seismic retrofits of the access bridge to the outlet structures to ensure that personnel can access the outlet structures during a major earthquake.
What to Expect
- During the modernization process, as a cautionary measure, DWR lowers the water level of Castaic Lake slightly during the winter months to provide more capacity in the reservoir to buffer winter run-off, reducing the likelihood that the spillway would need to be employed. Additionally, temporarily reduced water levels may be necessary to conduct various repair efforts of the outlet towers and access bridge. These slightly lower water levels will not impact water supply. And DWR is working closely with its state partners and local organizations to minimize the extent of recreation impacts.
- DWR will be operating construction equipment in all phases of the modernization program. Some localized noise and increased activity may be expected, particularly during rehabilitation construction efforts.
- DWR anticipates that the modernization efforts of the Program will take about 10 years to complete.
2019
The Stream Release Chute Investigation that included a series of core holes to assess the concrete thickness, condition, and underlying foundation of the chute was completed. The investigation confirmed the structure conforms to as-built conditions and meets structural design and stability requirements for its intended purpose.
The Toe Drain Inspection was completed and results indicate that the toe drains are functionally appropriately and as designed.
2020
In early 2020, DWR successfully completed a three-year refurbishment effort of the isolation valves to the State Water Contractor at the Castaic Outlet. The work included the refurbishment of a 42”, 72”, and 132” valves.
In November, DWR initiated field work for the Castaic Dam Spillway Geologic Investigation. This work requires the use of cranes and drill rigs to advance twenty drill holes within and around the spillway to assess the complex geologic conditions underlying the structure. Instrumentation will also be installed to enhance the monitoring of the structure and its foundation.
2021
In April, installation of additional piezometers in Castaic Dam’s left abutment began. These instruments will improve the monitoring of groundwater conditions in the left abutment and replace aging instruments.
In May, DWR plans to initiate a temporary drawdown of Castaic Lake to allow for the Tower Access Bridge Seismic Retrofit Project to be performed between Summer 2021 to Spring 2022. The drawdown will allow for the seismic retrofit to the tower access bridge, including the submerged bridge piers.
2022
The 500-foot-long tower bridge improvements were completed in February of 2022. Improvements consisted of applying carbon fiber reinforced polymer wrapping to three piers, and adding catcher blocks, shear blocks, elastomeric bearing pads, and steel members as part of the superstructure portion of the bridge.
The Tower Debris Mitigation Project has begun with a conceptual design report planned for summer 2022. This risk reduction project will help maintain State Water Contractor water deliveries and regulatory guidance in the unlikely event the high tower collapses in a major seismic event.
2023
DWR initiated design efforts for the Castaic Dam Intake Tower Debris Mitigation Project which will install 1) a redundant dogging mechanism for the low-level intake gate and 2) a trash rack within the outlet tunnel. These features will improve the reliability of the low-level outlet system for water delivery and reservoir drawdown should earthquake damage occur. Due to the outage necessary for their installation, a flow bypass system will also be installed during construction to minimize impacts to water delivery to local agencies. DWR is coordinating closely with downstream water agencies on the duration and timing of the outage for construction, which is currently planned for 2027.
With completion of pier work, Castaic Lake’s refill began in November 2021. The lake’s temporary drawdown began in May 2021 to allow for seismic retrofitting to begin on Castaic Dam’s intake tower access bridge and bridge piers. The lake reached a low elevation of 1,380 feet above mean sea level (this equals 135 feet lower than the maximum operating water elevation) in Fall 2021.
To view Castaic Lake water storage during this project, see weekly reservoir storage chart for Castaic Lake.
During Castaic Lake’s refill, all visitors are advised to stay safe during fluctuating water levels by being aware and staying away from marked and unmarked hazards in the water.
Hazards Buoys will have a diamond shape on the buoy warning of hazards, such as rocks, shoals, or turbulent waters. Visitors should always proceed with caution as not all hazards may be visible.
The lake offers a variety of recreational opportunities, such as boating and fishing. Visit the Castaic Lake web page for more information on recreation.
- Notice of Intent for Castaic Dam High Intake Tower Bridge Retrofit
- Final Initial Study/Mitigated Negative Declaration for Castaic Dam High Intake Tower Bridge Retrofit
- Notice of Determination for Castaic Dam High Intake Tower Bridge Retrofit
The California Department of Water Resources (DWR) adopted a Mitigated Negative Declaration (MND) for the proposed Castaic Dam High Intake Tower Bridge Retrofit Project. The draft Initial Study and proposed MND were prepared in accordance with the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) to provide agencies, the public, and interested parties an opportunity to review the environmental analysis for the proposed project.
The Initial Study was circulated for public review and comment for the period of 30 days (April 10, 2020 and ending May 10, 2020). DWR filed the Notice of Determination for the project on September 3, 2020.
DWR, the owner and operator of Castaic Dam in Los Angeles County, developed a public information toolkit to provide resources on dam safety and the Castaic Dam Modernization Program.
The toolkit’s components include:
- Table of Contents
- Introduction
- Question and Answer
- Fact Sheet
- Dam Components
- Region Map
- Sample Article
- Inundation Map
- Dam & Flood Safety Tips
- Additional Resources
- Linked Resources
Contact Us
For more information on the Castaic Dam Modernization Program, contact:
Digital Photography
News Updates
DWR completed the seismic retrofits on Castaic Dam’s tower access bridge in Los Angeles County. The completion marks a major milestone to ensure the resiliency of State Water Project facilities.
Published:
Seismic work at Castaic Dam’s tower access bridge has reached another milestone with the completion of work on three bridge piers. The work at the Los Angeles County facility is part of ongoing efforts by DWR to make the bridge stronger and reduce seismic risk at all State Water Project facilities.
Published:
DWR will begin implementing additional boating requirements at Castaic Lake in Los Angeles County due to the recent discovery of invasive quagga mussels.
Published: