LAFAYETTE, CALIFORNIA – The Lafayette Reservoir is about to get harder to visit on several weekdays this month as major construction activity ramps up at one of Lamorinda’s most familiar outdoor spots.
EBMUD says it will temporarily close vehicle access to Lafayette Reservoir on multiple days in May. The reservoir will not be fully closed, but during the listed closure windows, ordinary visitor vehicles will not be allowed through the entrance gate.
Pedestrian access is expected to remain available when crews determine it is safe. That means the reservoir will still technically be accessible for walkers who arrive on foot, but for many regular visitors — especially families, anglers, picnickers, and anyone who normally drives up to the parking area — the practical impact will be significant.
The upcoming vehicle closures are scheduled for:
Friday, May 15, from 6 a.m. to 2 p.m. – Closure canceled, open normal hours per EBMUD
Wednesday, May 20, from 6 a.m. to 2 p.m.
Friday, May 22, from 6 a.m. to 2 p.m.
Tuesday, May 26, from 6 a.m. to 2 p.m.
Wednesday, May 27, from 6 a.m. to 2 p.m.
Thursday, May 28, from 6 a.m. to 2 p.m.
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Why the Closures Are Happening
The closures are tied to increased construction activity at Lafayette Reservoir, where EBMUD is in the visible phase of a major seismic safety upgrade to the reservoir tower.
The project will shorten the nearly century-old outlet tower by 40 feet and retrofit related conduits under the dam. EBMUD says the tower, originally built in 1929, serves as both the reservoir’s spillway and a critical part of the system used to safely drain water from the reservoir. The agency says the work is required for earthquake and dam safety and has been approved by the California Division of Safety of Dams.
EBMUD’s broader Lafayette Reservoir construction page says several projects are underway or planned in the area, including the tower seismic retrofit, upgrades at the Lafayette Water Treatment Plant, and replacement of the reservoir recreation area’s aging wastewater system.
What Visitors Should Expect
During the closure periods, EBMUD says only approved agency and contractor vehicles will be allowed through the entrance gate. Pedestrians will still be permitted to enter when it is safe to do so.
The agency has also warned visitors to expect changing conditions around the reservoir as construction continues. Earlier notices described possible impacts including marine equipment on the water, scaffolding around the outlet tower, construction activity near the dam and related structures, weekday truck traffic, noise during work hours, temporary detours, reduced parking availability, and occasional delays for vehicles exiting the park.
EBMUD says additional closure dates could be announced through EBMUD Alerts, social media, newsletters, and updates to the Lafayette Reservoir recreation webpage.
A Beloved Landmark, and a Long-Running Debate
The tower project has been controversial in Lafayette for years.
The City of Lafayette says residents and city officials raised concerns about the loss of the reservoir tower’s familiar look, and a group of residents with engineering and architectural expertise argued that the tower could be retrofitted at its current height. The City says EBMUD is nevertheless moving forward with a plan to shorten the tower by 40 feet.
EBMUD, for its part, says it worked with expert dam engineers for years and that the new tower design is intended to be stronger and safer while maintaining the existing look as much as possible. The agency’s schedule lists tower and conduit retrofit construction from May through fall 2026, tower demolition beginning in June 2026, and overall project completion in fall 2027.
If you’re planning to walk the reservoir, then, make sure to plan ahead and either park in town and walk up, or avoid the reservoir on vehicle closure dates.
We’ll keep you posted as construction moves ahead. Make sure to join our free 925 News newsletter so we can keep you in the loop.
