Project FAQs
- What are the project objectives and benefits?
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The primary objectives of the Los Vaqueros Expansion Project Phase 2 are:
- Increase reliability of Delta water supplies for municipal, industrial and agricultural purposes.
- Increase water supply reliability for water providers within the San Francisco Bay Area.
- Enhance water supply reliability and operational flexibility for environmental; water management purposes including refuge water supplies within and south of the Delta.
Project Benefits:
- Increased water supply reliability ranging from 44,000 to 504,000 acre-feet per year in dry periods.
- Added emergency water supply storage for Bay Area agencies ranging from 80,000 to 120,000 acre-feet per year.
- Increased environmental water supply ranging from 50,000 to 790,000 acre-feet per year.
- Improved quality of water delivered to municipal and industrial water treatment facilities.
- Where is the Los Vaqueros Watershed located?
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The watershed is located in the foothills between Livermore and Brentwood east of San Francisco.
- When was the dam originally built, and when was it expanded?
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The original Los Vaqueros Dam was completed in 1998. At that time, the reservoir had a capacity of 100,000 acre-feet. In 2012, the dam was raised 34 feet, and is now 226 feet high (from toe to crest). It can currently store up to 160,000 acre-feet of water in the first phase of expansion. It is the largest reservoir in the Bay Area.
- Who owns Los Vaqueros?
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The Contra Costa Water District owns the dam, pipelines, associated pump stations and the watershed. CCWD ratepayers funded both the original construction of the dam and the expansion.
- What environmental documentation is currently available online?
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Review available environmental documents.
- Who are the local agency partners?
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Learn more about funding and our local agency partners.
- What are the near-term milestones?
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View the Los Vaqueros Reservoir Expansion Project Fact Sheet (PDF) for project timeline details.