Los Vaqueros

Welcome to Los Vaqueros Reservoir and Watershed

The Los Vaqueros Reservoir and Watershed is a year-round, day-use area ideal for fishing, boating, hiking, and picnicking, located between Brentwood and Livermore. View the Welcome to the Los Vaqueros Watershed (PDF) brochure for details and a map of the area.

The Los Vaqueros Watershed consists of 18,500 acres of protected watershed land surrounding the 1,900-acre Los Vaqueros Reservoir. The reservoir stores up to 160,000 acre-feet of water for Contra Costa Water District customers in central and eastern Contra Costa County. The Los Vaqueros Dam is under the jurisdiction of the State of California Division of Safety of Dams. Learn more about our Dam Safety Program.

About Los Vaqueros

Protecting Wildlife Habitat

Visit Los Vaqueros

Bay Area Lake Fishing

  1. CAST for Kids Fishing Day

    Contra Costa Water District is partnering with C.A.S.T. for Kids to host our annual fishing day at Los Vaqueros. It’s a free event that pairs kids and teens with special needs and their caretakers with local volunteer fishing experts for a day of fishing! Additional Info...

  2. Late summer recreation updates at Los Vaqueros

    We’re in the warmest months of the year – which means we’re feeling the heat out at the watershed, as well as the wind. See the latest updates about heat safety and recent fish plants. Additional Info...

  3. Slithering Snakes in Spring

    Rattlesnakes are very common in the Los Vaqueros Watershed. Especially as the weather warms up and the sun is out. Please be aware of your surroundings and maintain a safe distance if you encounter a rattlesnake. Additional Info...
View All News

Recreation Calendar

Stay tuned for updates!