"We're in good shape heading into winter," Jim McCann, communications director for the Santa Clara Valley Water District, said. "The water levels are managed in such a way to make sure there is enough capacity heading into the winter to handle any expected rainfall."

McCann said the reservoirs actually serve as flood protection.

The district controls the water level by releasing water if the levels get too high. The water released goes to local creeks and eventually to the bay.

By releasing some of the water, the district makes room for rainfall.

McCann said now is a good time to talk about safety procedures because of the affects of the hurricanes in the Southeast.

Dams are inspected each year for safety by the state Department of Water Resources, Division of Safety of Dams and McCann said none of the local dams have had any serious safety issues recently. Santa Clara County dams are inspected annually; the inspection is part of an ongoing safety program with state safety experts.

McCann said a study that was done a few years ago showed that there might be fault lines near the Almaden, Calero and Guadalupe dams.

He said an investigation has begun that involves placing sensors and monitors within the dams to get a better sense not only of the interior infrastructures, but also of seismic activity.

The project is ongoing, and the sensors will be installed next summer.