Photo of Castaic Dam stream release chute assessment work. 
SACRAMENTO, Calif. – As part of a statewide effort to reduce seismic and hydrologic risk to State Water Project facilities, the California Department of Water Resources’ Castaic Dam Modernization Program begins this week with an assessment of a stream release structure at Castaic Dam in Los Angeles County.
DWR will assess the integrity of a 60-foot-wide rectangular concrete chute used to pass natural flows from Castaic Lake into Castaic Lagoon.
“DWR continues to move forward in the modernization of SWP facilities and will be assessing possible improvements to Castaic Dam to mitigate impacts due to an extreme weather event or earthquake,” said Ted Craddock, DWR Acting State Water Project Deputy Director. “The primary objective for the Castaic Dam Modernization Program is to identify and make improvements that will ensure public safety and a reliable water supply.”
The Castaic Dam Modernization Program also includes seismic retrofits to the inlet tower access bridge, evaluation of the spillway to identify and implement necessary improvements, and earthquake analyses on various dam components.
The planned assessment work will be completed by 2022 and may require drill rigs and other large machinery. After completing the assessments, DWR will develop and implement projects to modernize the structures at Castaic Dam.
The Modernization Program is expected to take approximately 10 years to complete. Localized noise and increased activity at the site are expected during this period. Depending on the rehabilitation efforts necessary, Castaic Lake drawdowns may occur for short periods of time.
Ensuring continued dam safety, DWR routinely monitors and inspects Castaic Dam, implementing preventative measures as conditions change.
Castaic Lake, completed in 1974 and located 45 miles northwest of downtown Los Angeles, provides regulatory storage, water supply, and a variety of recreational opportunities.
Photos of Castaic Dam’s stream release structure available at DWR’s Box.com account
Video available at DWR’s Box.com account.
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Contact:
Maggie Macias, Information Officer, Public Affairs, Department of Water Resources
(916) 653-8743 | maggie.macias@water.ca.gov