Los Vaqueros is an earth dam located in Contra Costa County, California, built in 1997. It carries a High hazard potential classification and has a satisfactory condition assessment.
Dam profile
NID height · 231 ft231 ft tall and 1,280 ft long, taller than 99% of U.S. dams with a recorded height. Height is drawn to scale against the Statue of Liberty, 305 ft ground to torch; the profile is a generic embankment section and the water level is illustrative.
About Los Vaqueros
The primary purpose of Los Vaqueros 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 Contra Costa Water District (public utility). It impounds the Kellogg Creek near Byron, Brentwood, Discovery Bay.
The dam stands 231 feet tall and stretches 1,280 feet across, creates a reservoir covering 1,836 acres, has a maximum storage capacity of 160,000 acre-feet, and collects water from a drainage area of 18 square miles. Completed in 1997, the structure is 29 years old.
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 10/09/2024.
At 231 feet, this dam is taller than 99% of all dams in the United States.
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 | Contra Costa |
| Nearest City | Byron, Brentwood, Discovery Bay |
| River/Stream | Kellogg Creek |
| Coordinates | 37.83630, -121.72650 |
Physical Characteristics
| Dam Type | Earth |
| NID Height | 231 ft |
| Dam Height | 231 ft |
| Dam Length | 1,280 ft |
| Year Completed | 1997 (29 years old) |
Storage & Hydraulics
| NID Storage | 160,000 acre-ft |
| Max Storage | 160,000 acre-ft |
| Surface Area | 1,836 acres |
| Drainage Area | 18 sq mi |
Ownership & Safety
| Purpose | Water Supply |
| Owner | Contra Costa Water District |
| Owner Type | Public Utility |
| Hazard Classification | High |
| Condition Assessment | Satisfactory |
| Last Inspection | 10/09/2024 |
| Emergency Action Plan | Yes |
Identifiers
| NID ID | CA01396 |
| Federal ID | CA01396 |
| More Info | State Dam Safety Program |