Nacimiento Dam (Lake Nacimiento)

Field Descriptions

Dam Name: Nacimiento
NID ID: CA00812
Longitude: -120.883
Latitude: 35.758
Map Section: S.15,T.25S,R.10,MD
County: SAN LUIS OBISPO
River: NACIMIENTO RIVER
State: CA
Nearest City: Bradley
Distance: 14.00 miles
Owner Name: MONTEREY COUNTY WATER RESOURCES AGENCY
Owner Type: Local Government
Private Dam? No
Dam Type: Earth
Core: Known (Certainty)
Foundation: SK
Purposes: Hydroelectric
Year Completed: 1956
Year Modified/Mod Type: 2009
Dam Length: 1630 feet
Dam Height: 210 feet
Structural Height: 255 feet
Hydraulic Height: 185 feet
Maximum Discharge: 102400 cu ft/sec
Maximum Storage: 470000 acre-feet
Normal Storage: 377900 acre-feet
Surface Area: 5400 acres
Drainage Area: 330 square miles
Hazard Potential: High
Emergency Action Plan? Yes
Inspection Date: 2012-09-14
Inspection Frequency: 1
State Regulated Dam? Yes
State Regulating Agency: Division of Safety of Dams
Spillway Type: Controlled
Spillway Width: 150 feet
Outlet Gates: O2;
Volume of Dam: 3450000 cubic yards
Federal Regulatory Agency:
Federal Inspection Agency:
Source Agency:

Dam Safety For Boats

A large amount of water can be released from a dam without any warning at any time and by any means. For example, when the demand for electricity is high, the turbines at a dam may be turned on automatically, resulting in a significant increase in the downstream flow of water in only a matter of seconds.

If there's a need to release water through the sluiceways (outlets at the base of the dam), this operation can also create a great swell of discharged water downstream.

During flood operations, any or all spillway gates across the width of a dam can be opened to release upstream flood water that needs to pass to the next downstream reservoir. Upstream or downstream, even the most experienced boater with the strongest motor is no match for this strong flow of water plunging over a spillway of a dam. Even if you're boating far downstream of a spilling dam, recirculating current can pull a powerful boat upstream toward plunging water that could shred any boat.

Some dams equipped with navigation locks create turbulent water as well. When vessels pass through, strong flow is released near the exhaust ports of the wing wall of the lock.

Warning Systems At Dams

To warn reservoir users of potential danger, warning devices are installed at many dams:






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