If you moved to Morgan Hill hoping to kayak on Anderson Reservoir, we have bad news. It’s been drained since 2020 and it’s staying closed through 2030. Here’s the full story — and why it’s actually the right call.
The dam is being rebuilt
Anderson Dam is Santa Clara County’s largest reservoir. In 2009, federal regulators flagged it: the earthen dam wouldn’t hold in a major earthquake on the Calaveras fault, which runs right under it. Valley Water drained the reservoir starting in 2020 and has been executing a full seismic retrofit ever since. The project includes a new outlet tunnel, a rebuilt spillway, and a reconstructed dam embankment.
Why it’s closed through 2030
The timeline keeps sliding. Originally the reservoir was supposed to be back in service by 2024, then 2026, now 2030. Construction hit environmental review delays, tunnel boring complications, and a pandemic. Valley Water confirmed the 2030 target in recent project updates.
What’s happening now
The outlet tunnel is complete. Valley Water is also restoring six miles of Coyote Creek downstream to improve steelhead habitat — a required environmental mitigation that’s become a story of its own. The creek work means recreation access along the downstream corridor is also limited in places.
What it means for Morgan Hill
Three things. One: no boating, no fishing, no waterfront recreation at the park until 2030. The park’s upper trails and picnic areas are still partly accessible, but the lake views aren’t what they were. Two: when it refills, the fish and birds will come back. Three: water supply. Anderson stores about 90,000 acre-feet when full — enough to supply a big share of the county for months. Having it offline puts pressure on the rest of the system.
What we’ve lost
If you moved here before 2020, you know. Summer evenings on the lake, the boat ramp, the old cypress trees on the east side, the hiking loop around the dam itself. It’ll come back. It’s going to be a long wait.
For more on South Valley outdoors, see our Henry Coe State Park guide and our Best Hikes in Morgan Hill & Gilroy.
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Sources:
Anderson Dam Seismic Retrofit — Valley Water
- Anderson Reservoir will close to public through 2030 — Morgan Hill Times
- Anderson Dam project reaches milestone — Morgan Hill Times