Austrian
Key Takeaway
Austrian is classified as high hazard in California. It was completed in 1950 and is 76 years old. Its primary use is water supply. High hazard means loss of life is likely if the dam fails — it does not indicate the dam's current condition. Learn more.
Physical Details
| Dam Height | 185 ft (taller than 93.7% in CA) |
| Dam Length | 700 ft |
| Dam Type | Earth |
| Max Storage | 6.2K acre-ft |
| Surface Area | 96 acres |
| Drainage Area | 10 sq mi |
| Year Completed | 1950 (76 years old) |
| NID ID | CA00680 |
Safety Information
Loss of human life is likely if the dam fails.
Hazard potential describes downstream consequences of failure, not the dam's current condition. What does this mean?
Ownership
San Jose Water Company
Public Utility
Nearby Dams
Williams
Santa Clara, CA
Low Hazard 69 ftGuadalupe
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High Hazard 142 ftJames J. Lenihan
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High Hazard 208 ftLower Howell
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Significant Hazard 39 ftUpper Howell
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Significant Hazard 36 ftAlmaden
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High Hazard 110 ftAlmaden Valley
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High Hazard 38 ftVasona Percolating
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High Hazard 34 ftFrequently Asked Questions
What is the hazard classification of Austrian?
Austrian is classified as High Hazard. Loss of human life is likely if the dam fails. This classification refers to the potential downstream consequences of a failure, not the dam's current structural condition.
Who owns and operates Austrian?
Austrian is owned by San Jose Water Company (Public Utility). The owner is responsible for maintenance, inspections, and compliance with dam safety regulations.
When was Austrian built?
Austrian was completed in 1950, making it 76 years old. Many U.S. dams were built between the 1930s and 1970s during a period of major infrastructure investment.
What is the primary purpose of Austrian?
Austrian serves the following purposes: Water Supply. Many dams in the U.S. are multi-purpose, supporting flood control, water supply, recreation, and other uses.
How tall is Austrian?
Austrian has a dam height of 185 ft. Dam height is measured from the natural streambed at the downstream toe to the top of the dam, and may differ from the visible height.
When was Austrian last inspected?
Austrian was last inspected on July 21, 2021. Inspection dates indicate when a formal review occurred, not the results of that inspection.