San Pablo Dam Update
In coordination with the California Division of Safety of Dams (DSOD), EBMUD commissioned a study to determine the seismic safety of San Pablo Dam. The study was completed in October 2004 and showed that some of the soils and foundation that make up the dam are susceptible to liquefaction. If a 7.5 earthquake occurred on the Hayward Fault, the study predicted the dam would slump and decrease in height, allowing water to flow over the top, resulting in flooding downstream. Based on the study’s recommendations, EBMUD lowered the water level behind the dam by 20 feet to protect downstream communities from flooding.
EBMUD has explored alternatives for permanent retrofit of the dam and is now moving forward to improve the soil and construct a larger downstream buttress for the dam. During construction, the reservoir will remain in service at its currently reduced water level.
The EIR certification for this project was approved by the EBMUD
Board of Directors on September 26, 2006. The contract for construction was
awarded on May 13, 2008. Construction started in July of 2008 and is expected to
continue for approximately two years.
San Pablo Dam Seismic Upgrade Environmental
Documentation
The
documents below are available as PDF files that can be
viewed and printed with Adobe Acrobat Reader, a free software.
August
2008 Update (Fact Sheet)
Kennedy Grove Access
During Construction (258 KB)
For more information, please contact Michelle Blackwell at mblackwe@ebmud.com or (510) 287-2053.