Coyote Percolation
Coyote Percolation is a buttress dam located in Santa Clara County, California, built in 1934. It carries a High hazard potential classification and has a satisfactory condition assessment.
About Coyote Percolation
The primary purpose of Coyote Percolation is water supply. The dam stores water for municipal, industrial, or agricultural use, helping ensure a reliable supply for the surrounding area. The dam is owned by Santa Clara Valley Water District (public utility). It impounds the Coyote Creek near San Jose.
The dam stands 24 feet tall and stretches 204 feet across, creates a reservoir covering 38 acres, has a maximum storage capacity of 259 acre-feet, and collects water from a drainage area of 227 square miles. Completed in 1934, the structure is well-established, with more than 75 years of service.
This dam carries a high hazard potential classification, which means that a failure or uncontrolled release of water would likely cause loss of human life. This classification reflects the consequences of failure, not the likelihood — it indicates that people live or work in the area downstream. Its condition is rated satisfactory, indicating no existing or potential dam safety deficiencies are recognized. An emergency action plan is in place for this dam. The most recent inspection on record was 01/24/2025.
Living Downstream
If you live or work downstream of this dam, consider taking these steps: learn your local evacuation routes, check whether your county emergency management office has a dam failure inundation map, and sign up for local emergency alerts. The California dam safety program can provide more specific information about emergency planning for this structure.
Search for dams near your address to see all dams in your area with hazard classifications and safety data.
Location
| State | California |
| County | Santa Clara |
| Nearest City | San Jose |
| River/Stream | Coyote Creek |
| Coordinates | 37.23520, -121.76080 |
Physical Characteristics
| Dam Type | Buttress |
| NID Height | 24 ft |
| Dam Height | 24 ft |
| Dam Length | 204 ft |
| Year Completed | 1934 (92 years old) |
Storage & Hydraulics
| NID Storage | 259 acre-ft |
| Max Storage | 259 acre-ft |
| Surface Area | 38 acres |
| Drainage Area | 227 sq mi |
Ownership & Safety
| Purpose | Water Supply |
| Owner | Santa Clara Valley Water District |
| Owner Type | Public Utility |
| Hazard Classification | High |
| Condition Assessment | Satisfactory |
| Last Inspection | 01/24/2025 |
| Emergency Action Plan | Yes |
Identifiers
| NID ID | CA00286 |
| Federal ID | CA00286 |
| More Info | State Dam Safety Program |