The earthen San Pablo Dam, built in 1919 (106 years ago) (1919), is located at the El Sobrante end of the reservoir, above Kennedy Grove.

The recreation area is managed under contract by Urban Parks Concessionaires (UPC) and includes a restaurant (the San Pablo Grill) and gift shop, where fishing permits can be purchased and boats can be rented.

Many anglers fish on the reservoir for smallmouth bass, white sturgeon, bluegill and crappie, along with the regularly planted trout and catfish.

The California Office of Environmental Health Hazard Assessment (OEHHA) has developed a safe eating advisory for fish caught in the San Pablo Reservoir based on levels of mercury or PCBs found in local species.

Since May 2015, the Oakland Strokes have organized the USRowing Southwest Masters Regional Championships on San Pablo.

[2][3] In October 2004, a study commissioned by EBMUD concluded that a major earthquake on the Hayward Fault could cause the San Pablo Dam to settle as much as 35 feet (11 m).