Copper Basin dam
Copper Basin
Copper Basin, located in San Bernardino, California, is a vital water supply infrastructure managed by a public utility. This arch dam, completed in 1938, stands at a height of 184 feet and has a storage capacity of 22,000 acre-feet. The dam serves the primary purpose of water supply, ensuring the availability of water for the surrounding areas, especially in times of need.
With a drainage area of 8.2 square miles, Copper Basin plays a crucial role in regulating the flow of the Copper Basin river. Despite its high hazard potential, the dam is assessed to be in satisfactory condition, with regular inspections and enforcement measures in place to ensure its safety and functionality. The dam's emergency action plan is up to date, with a last revision in December 2018, indicating preparedness for any unforeseen events.
Situated in Parker Dam, Copper Basin is a key structure in the region, contributing to water resource management and climate resilience. Its strategic location and design make it an essential asset for water supply security in California, highlighting the importance of maintaining and monitoring such critical infrastructure in the face of changing climate conditions.
Dam data reference
Condition Assessment
- Satisfactory
- No existing or potential dam safety deficiencies are recognized. Acceptable performance is expected under all loading conditions (static, hydrologic, seismic) in accordance with the minimum applicable state or federal regulatory criteria or tolerable risk guidelines.
- Fair
- No existing dam safety deficiencies are recognized for normal operating conditions. Rare or extreme hydrologic and/or seismic events may result in a dam safety deficiency. Risk may be in the range to take further action.
- Poor
- A dam safety deficiency is recognized for normal operating conditions which may realistically occur. Remedial action is necessary. POOR may also be used when uncertainties exist as to critical analysis parameters which identify a potential dam safety deficiency.
- Unsatisfactory
- A dam safety deficiency is recognized that requires immediate or emergency remedial action for problem resolution.
- Not Rated
- The dam has not been inspected, is not under state or federal jurisdiction, or has been inspected but, for whatever reason, has not been rated.
Hazard Potential Classification
- High
- Dams assigned the high hazard potential classification are those where failure or mis-operation will probably cause loss of human life.
- Significant
- Dams assigned the significant hazard potential classification are those dams where failure or mis-operation results in no probable loss of human life but can cause economic loss, environmental damage, disruption of lifeline facilities, or impact other concerns. Significant hazard potential classification dams are often located in predominantly rural or agricultural areas but could be in areas with population and significant infrastructure.
- Low
- Dams assigned the low hazard potential classification are those where failure or mis-operation results in no probable loss of human life and low economic and/or environmental losses. Losses are principally limited to the owner's property.
- Undetermined
- Dams for which a downstream hazard potential has not been designated or is not provided.
Plan around the weather
Same NOAA / yr.no feed Snoflo's iOS app uses. Watch the precipitation column on the meteogram -- rain on the basin upstream typically lifts inflow 24-72 hours later.
Next 5 days, hour by hour
Temperature line with weather symbols on top, snow + rain accumulation as columns, humidity as a dotted line.
5-day forecast table
Every 3 hours, broken out across temperature, snow, rain, humidity, and wind. Each cell is colour-coded relative to the column min/max.
| Time | Condition | Temp (°F) | Snow (in) | Rain (in) | Humidity (%) | Wind (mps) | Wind dir |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Loading detailed forecast… | |||||||
15-day temperature & precipitation
Daily temperatures, snow, and rain projected over the next two weeks.
Nearby streamflow gauges
USGS streamgauges around Copper Basin -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Colorado River Below Parker Dam | 2,300 cfs | → |
| C.R.I.R. Main Canal Nr Parker | 1,070 cfs | → |
| Bill Williams River Near Parker | 4 cfs | → |
| Gardner Lateral Spill Near Parker | 0 cfs | → |
| Poston Wasteway Near Poston | 42 cfs | → |
| Bill Williams River Below Alamo Dam | 36 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Copper Basin.
Boat launches
- Rock House Recreation Area Boat Launch
- Parker Dam Road 52650-52900, Earp
- Take Off Point Day Use Area Boat Launch
- Takeoff Point Road Arizona
- Site Six
Campgrounds
- Empire Landing
- Buckskin State Park
- La Paz County Park
- Crossroads
- Crossroads Campsite 26
- Crossroads Campsite 25
Paddle runs
Track Copper Basin in the Snoflo app
Save this dam as a favorite and get the local NOAA / yr.no forecast plus regional flow context wherever you are.
About Copper Basin
Where does the data for Copper Basin come from?
Structural and regulatory data come from the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers' National Inventory of Dams (NID). Weather forecast comes from NOAA / yr.no -- the same feed Snoflo's iOS app uses.
How often is the report updated?
NID structural data refreshes annually as the Corps publishes updated assessments. The weather forecast refreshes throughout the day.
What does the High hazard rating mean?
The Corps of Engineers' hazard potential classification grades probable consequences if the dam fails: High = probable loss of human life; Significant = no probable loss of human life but possible economic loss / environmental damage; Low = no probable loss of human life, only minor economic / environmental losses. See the Dam Data Reference card above for the full definitions.
What's "% of normal"?
The current storage value compared to the historical average storage on this calendar day. 100% = right on average; values above 100% mean above-normal storage (wet year); values below mean below-normal (dry year or drought).
Can I get alerts when storage crosses a threshold?
Yes -- alerts are managed in the Snoflo iOS app. Favorite this dam, set a threshold, and you'll get a push the moment conditions cross.
Other water bodies near here
Snoflo-tracked reservoirs and dams within driving distance of Copper Basin.