Balsam Meadow Forebay Main dam
Balsam Meadow Forebay Main
Balsam Meadow Forebay Main is a privately owned hydroelectric facility located in Big Creek, Fresno, California. Built in 1986 by Southern California Edison Co., this rockfill dam stands at a height of 123 feet, with a storage capacity of 1960 acre-feet and a maximum discharge of 9000 cubic feet per second. The dam serves the primary purpose of generating hydroelectric power, utilizing the flow of Balsam Creek to produce renewable energy for the region.
Managed by the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission, Balsam Meadow Forebay Main is subject to state regulations and inspections to ensure its safety and operational efficiency. With a high hazard potential due to its location and design, the dam's risk assessment is moderate, indicating the need for ongoing monitoring and management measures. Although the condition assessment is currently not available, the emergency action plan has been updated as recently as December 2020, highlighting the commitment to preparedness and response in case of any unforeseen events.
With a focus on sustainability and water resource management, Balsam Meadow Forebay Main plays a crucial role in supporting the renewable energy sector in California. Its presence underscores the importance of harnessing natural resources like Balsam Creek to reduce reliance on fossil fuels and mitigate the impact of climate change. As enthusiasts of water resources and climate, keeping track of developments at this hydroelectric facility can provide valuable insights into the intersection of energy production, environmental conservation, and regulatory compliance in the region.
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 Balsam Meadow Forebay Main -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Nf Willow C Nr Sugar Pine Ca | 416 cfs | → |
| San Joaquin R Bl Friant Ca | 520 cfs | → |
| Big C Div Nr Fish Camp Ca | 0 cfs | → |
| Mf San Joaquin R Nr Mammoth Lakes Ca | 595 cfs | → |
| Hot C A Flume Nr Mammoth Lakes Ca | 65 cfs | → |
| Merced R A Happy Isles Bridge Nr Yosemite Ca | 1,730 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Balsam Meadow Forebay Main .
Boat launches
- Huntington Boat Ramp & Launching Site
- Redinger Boating Site
- Mammoth Pool Rd, California
- Florence Lake Boating Site
- Florence Lake Campground
- Lake Edison Boating Site
Campgrounds
Fishing spots
Paddle runs
- Confluence With North Fork San Joaquin River To Hells Half Acre
- Blarney Meadows To South End Of Florence Lake
- Hot Springs Area To West End Of Blarney River
- Northwest Boundary Of Nf/Kings Canyon Np To Hot Springs Area
- Rainbow Falls To Confluence With North Fork San Joaquin River
- Cora Creek To Confluence With San Joaquin River
Track Balsam Meadow Forebay Main 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 Balsam Meadow Forebay Main
Where does the data for Balsam Meadow Forebay Main 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 Balsam Meadow Forebay Main .