Balch Diversion dam
Balch Diversion
Balch Diversion, also known as Black Rock, is a private structure located in Balch Camp, California, along the North Fork Kings River. Completed in 1927, this concrete dam stands at 135 feet high and serves a primary purpose of hydroelectric power generation. With a storage capacity of 1,295 acre-feet, Balch Diversion plays a crucial role in water resource management in Fresno County.
Managed by the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission, Balch Diversion has a significant hazard potential and a moderate risk assessment rating. Despite its age, the dam has not undergone a recent condition assessment, but regular state inspections ensure its structural integrity. The dam's uncontrolled spillway can handle a maximum discharge of 47,000 cubic feet per second, making it a key component in flood control efforts in the region.
Situated in a scenic area with a surface area of 35 acres and a drainage area of 56 square miles, Balch Diversion is a vital piece of infrastructure for water supply and environmental conservation in Central California. With its historic significance and ongoing regulatory oversight, this hydroelectric facility continues to contribute to the sustainable management of water resources in the region, making it a compelling subject for water resource and climate enthusiasts to study and appreciate.
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 Balch Diversion -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Marble Fork Kaweah R Ab Horse C Nr Lodgepole Ca | 133 cfs | → |
| San Joaquin R Bl Friant Ca | 520 cfs | → |
| Nf Willow C Nr Sugar Pine Ca | 416 cfs | → |
| Mf San Joaquin R Nr Mammoth Lakes Ca | 595 cfs | → |
| Big C Div Nr Fish Camp Ca | 0 cfs | → |
| Hot C A Flume Nr Mammoth Lakes Ca | 65 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Balch Diversion .
Boat launches
- Hume Lake Boat Launch (East Dam)
- Sandy Cove Road Fresno County
- Sunnyslope Road 30796, Sanger
- North Piedra Road 3140, Sanger
- Huntington Boat Ramp & Launching Site
- Florence Lake Campground
Campgrounds
- Blackrock Reservoir Campground
- Black Rock - Trimmer
- Sawmill Flat
- Bear Wallow Camping Area
- Mill Flat Campground
- Green Cabin Flat Campground
Fishing spots
- Spillway Fishing Site
- Wishon Reservoir
- Chimney Lake
- Hume Lake Fishing Pier (North)
- Hume Lake
- Hume Lake Fishing Pier (South)
Paddle runs
- Outlet Of Martha Lake (Boundary Extend 0.25 Mile On Each Side Of River) To Northwestern Boundary Of Kings Canyon National Park
- Blarney Meadows To South End Of Florence Lake
- Northwest Boundary Of Nf/Kings Canyon Np To Hot Springs Area
- Hot Springs Area To West End Of Blarney River
- Wilderness Boundary Just Below Tokopah Falls (Boundary Extend 0.25 Mile On Each Side Of River) To Confluence With The Middle Fork Kaweah River
- Headwaters To Inlet At South Lake
Track Balch Diversion 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 Balch Diversion
Where does the data for Balch Diversion 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 Significant 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 Balch Diversion .