Upper Howell
Upper Howell is an earth dam located in Santa Clara County, California, built in 1878. It carries a Significant hazard potential classification and has a satisfactory condition assessment.
About Upper Howell
The primary purpose of Upper Howell 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 San Jose Water Company (public utility). It impounds the Rundell Creek.
The dam stands 36 feet tall and stretches 640 feet across, creates a reservoir covering 13 acres, has a maximum storage capacity of 243 acre-feet, and collects water from a drainage area of 0 square miles. Completed in 1878, the structure is over a century old.
This dam has a significant hazard potential classification, meaning that a failure could cause significant economic damage — flooding roads, bridges, or property downstream — but is not expected to result in loss of life. 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 09/23/2025.
At 36 feet, this dam is taller than 83% of dams nationwide.
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Location
| State | California |
| County | Santa Clara |
| River/Stream | Rundell Creek |
| Coordinates | 37.18950, -122.01600 |
Physical Characteristics
| Dam Type | Earth |
| NID Height | 36 ft |
| Dam Height | 36 ft |
| Dam Length | 640 ft |
| Year Completed | 1878 (148 years old) |
Storage & Hydraulics
| NID Storage | 243 acre-ft |
| Max Storage | 243 acre-ft |
| Surface Area | 13 acres |
| Drainage Area | 0 sq mi |
Ownership & Safety
| Purpose | Water Supply |
| Owner | San Jose Water Company |
| Owner Type | Public Utility |
| Hazard Classification | Significant |
| Condition Assessment | Satisfactory |
| Last Inspection | 09/23/2025 |
| Emergency Action Plan | Yes |
Identifiers
| NID ID | CA00678 |
| Federal ID | CA00678 |
| More Info | State Dam Safety Program |