USGS Water-Year Summary 2024

11042510 Vail Lake near Temecula, CA

LOCATION - Lat 33°29'44", long 116°58'33" referenced to North American Datum of 1927, Riverside County, CA, Hydrologic Unit 18070302, in Pauba Grant, near center of Vail Dam on Temecula Creek, 0.2 mi downstream from Arroyo Seco, and 10 mi east of Temecula.

DRAINAGE AREA - 320 mi².

SURFACE-WATER RECORDS

PERIOD OF RECORD - October 1960 to September 1985 (monthend contents only), October 1987 to current year. Prior to October 1977, published with Temecula Creek at Vail Dam.

GAGE - Water-stage recorder. Datum of gage is NGVD of 1929 and 2.56 ft above NAVD of 1988. June 4, 1969, to September 1985, nonrecording gage.

REMARKS - Reservoir is formed by concrete arch-type dam, completed in June 1949. Total capacity, 49,370 acre-ft, between elevations 1,352.5 ft, bottom of lowest outlet, and 1,470 ft, crest of spillway, all of which is available for release. There had been no spill from Nov. 13, 1948, date of closure, to Feb. 20, 1980, when a peak spill of about 8,000 ft³/s occurred (from theoretical discharge curve). Water is released down Temecula Creek for diversion about 1 mi downstream. Figures given, excluding extremes, represent total contents at 2400 hours. See schematic diagram of Santa Margarita River Basin available from the California Water Science Center.

EXTREMES FOR PERIOD OF RECORD - Maximum contents observed, 52,670 acre-ft, spilling, Feb. 21, 1980, elevation, 1,473.0 ft, from high-water mark; minimum observed, 1,038 acre-ft, Oct. 31, 1960, elevation, 1,379.44 ft.

CLIMATOLOGICAL RECORDS

PERIOD OF RECORD - October 2000 to current year (published as 332944116583301 "Vail Lake Precip Gage near Temecula").