ASCE OC Branch & EWRI: Santiago Creek Dam (Irvine Lake) - Large Scale Civil Improvements

ASCE OC Branch, in partnership with the Environmental and Water Resources Institute (EWRI), recently hosted a technical luncheon highlighting the Santiago Creek Dam (Irvine Lake) Large-Scale Civil Improvements Project. The event welcomed approximately 60 engineers, students, and water resources professionals interested in learning about the future upgrades to Santiago Creek Dam and Irvine Lake.

The presentation featured three speakers representing the project’s owner and designers. Jacob Moeder, P.E., Engineering Manager for Dams and Storage at Irvine Ranch Water District, provided an overview of the dam’s history, its role in regional water supply, and the need for significant rehabilitation to meet modern dam safety and seismic standards.

James Fuchs, P.E. (Project Manager, AECOM) and Iqbal Ahmed, Ph.D., P.E., G.E. (Vice President, GEI Consultants) discussed the engineering challenges involved in upgrading a nearly century-old dam, including improvements to the outlet works, spillway, and embankment to meet current safety and operational standards.

Originally constructed in 1933, Santiago Creek Dam forms Irvine Lake and remains an important component of Orange County’s water infrastructure. Planned improvements include replacing the aging outlet tower and spillway, strengthening the embankment, and modernizing the facility to enhance safety and water supply reliability for the region.

ASCE OC Branch and EWRI would like to thank the speakers and attendees for making this informative event a success.

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About the Author:

Ben Smith oversees OCWD's recharge basins and wetlands while keeping billions of gallons in check. With dual master's degrees in Civil Engineering and Public Administration, he somehow makes water policy sound cool—even to college students he teaches on the side. From PFAS to percolation, Ben keeps the flow going (literally).