LAFAYETTE, CA — One of Lafayette’s most recognizable landmarks is about to enter its next major construction phase.
Beginning in early May, EBMUD’s Lafayette Reservoir Tower Seismic Upgrade Project will move into more visible work at the reservoir, including scaffolding around the nearly century-old tower as crews prepare to shorten it by 40 feet.
The City of Lafayette said the next phase is expected to begin in early May, with visible construction activity at the tower and scaffolding surrounding it for much of the project.
A traffic advisory is also already set: Lafayette Reservoir will be closed to vehicular traffic from 8 a.m. to noon on Wednesday, May 6, though pedestrians will still be allowed to access the park when crews determine it is safe. (lovelafayette.org)
The Tower Is Being Shortened As Part of a Seismic Safety Project
EBMUD says the Lafayette Reservoir Tower, originally built in 1929, needs to be retrofitted to modern seismic standards. The agency’s approved plan will shorten the tower by 40 feet so it more closely matches the height of the dam. EBMUD says the work is part of a $14 million project funded by ratepayers and approved by the California Division of Safety of Dams. (East Bay Municipal Utility District)
The tower is not just decorative. EBMUD says it functions as the reservoir’s spillway and is also the only safe way to drain water from the reservoir. State dam regulators consider the downstream risk below Lafayette Reservoir “extremely high,” according to EBMUD, which says that is why the tower’s seismic deficiencies must be addressed.
For more local infrastructure updates like this, join the free 925 News newsletter for clear, useful East Bay news before it shows up in your commute or weekend plans: https://bay-area-telegraph.ck.page/317a2ba0d5
Why the Tower Is 40 Feet Taller Than It Needs To Be
The unusual height of the tower dates back to the original reservoir design.
According to EBMUD, when construction began in the late 1920s, the original plan called for a dam roughly 33 feet taller than the one that ultimately got built. That would have created a much larger reservoir.
But the agency says the earth-filled dam design had to be lowered after the embankment began to move during construction. By then, the tower had already been built for the taller version of the dam.
That history is why EBMUD now describes the tower as “40 feet too high.” The agency says modern seismic studies show the tower could bend and break during a large earthquake, potentially damaging the reservoir’s outlet system and creating a dam-safety concern for Lafayette, Walnut Creek, and downstream communities.
What Visitors Should Expect
The reservoir is not simply closing for the duration of the work. But visitors should expect construction impacts.
EBMUD says it will close the reservoir during “key construction periods,” and some parking spaces will be used to store equipment. The broader project schedule lists tower and conduit retrofit construction from May through fall 2026, with tower demolition scheduled for June 2026 and full project completion expected in fall 2027.
The Lafayette Chamber’s reservoir update says fishing, hiking, and first-come, first-served picnic use are expected to remain open during construction, though visitors should expect changing conditions, construction noise, and visible activity near the project site. It also notes that the upper portion of the tower is scheduled for demolition beginning in June 2026, with exact dates to be confirmed by EBMUD.
Picnic reservations are also affected. EBMUD says picnic site reservations are unavailable on weekdays between February 2026 and July 2026, while weekend picnic reservation dates have been made available as of March 16. First-come, first-served picnic areas not affected by construction are expected to remain available.
The Project Has Been Controversial
The tower-shortening plan has been a point of contention in Lafayette for years.
The City of Lafayette says a group of residents with relevant professional expertise reviewed the design and concluded that the tower could be retrofitted at its current height.
The group also raised concerns that shortening the tower could increase seismic risk downstream in a major earthquake. Despite those objections, the City says EBMUD announced it would move forward with the plan to shorten the tower by 40 feet.
EBMUD, for its part, says it evaluated alternatives that would have maintained the tower’s full height, but those approaches did not meet the requirements of the California Division of Safety of Dams. The agency says it delayed the project by more than a year, spent more than $500,000 reevaluating advisory committee concepts and community feedback, and ultimately proceeded with the shortened design.
The New Tower Will Try to Preserve the Old Look
The tower will be shorter, but EBMUD says the goal is not to erase its character entirely.
The agency says the top of the new outlet tower will include a lightweight metal operating house designed to resemble the existing historic structure. EBMUD describes the final version as a stronger, safer tower that still nods to the look that has long greeted reservoir visitors.
The Lafayette Reservoir itself will remain a major local recreation area during the broader construction period, though this spring and summer may be the period when the changes become most visible to regular walkers, runners, anglers, and families visiting the park.
Anyone planning a visit next week should be aware of the Wednesday, May 6 vehicle closure from 8 a.m. to noon and should watch for EBMUD alerts, signage, and updated reservoir notices as the work schedule changes.
We’ll follow this project closely, and we’ll share weekly updates once the demolition and rebuilding begins. Join our free 925 News newsletter so we can keep you updated.
