With public safety as its number one priority, Santa Margarita Water District has designed the Upper Chiquita Reservoir to exceed the rigorous design and safety standards set forth by California’s Division of Safety of Dams. Utilizing modern design guidelines and state-of-the-art construction practices, the reservoir structure and accompanying facilities at the 27-acre Upper Chiquita site will significantly limit negative view, noise and environmental impacts to surrounding populations, including wildlife.

• The reservoir will be constructed as an earthen embankment. Unlike a large steel tank or man-made lake, this design allows the reservoir to blend into the Chiquita Canyon hillside, utilizing the natural features of the environment to shield the public from most view, traffic and noise impacts.
• Unlike many other reservoirs, this one will not be joined with any natural water source, such as a stream or river and will be lined and covered with an impervious barrier, virtually eliminating the risk of seepage or reservoir “overtopping.”
• Upper Chiquita Reservoir will include a myriad of state-of-the-art safety features that protect the reservoir from earthquakes, catastrophic weather conditions and natural deterioration.
• High tech moisture sensors and other devices will constantly monitor the reservoir, allowing for up-to-the-moment detail on water levels within the structure, immediate notification of any structural irregularities or vulnerabilities, and timely diagnostics for routine maintenance.