Bidwell Lake dam
Bidwell Lake
Bidwell Lake, also known as Round Valley Reservoir, is a public utility water supply located in Greenville, California. This Earth-type dam was completed in 1865 and stands at a height of 35 feet, with a storage capacity of 5200 acre-feet. The reservoir serves multiple purposes including irrigation, recreation, and water supply for the region.
Situated on No Canyon Creek in Plumas County, Bidwell Lake covers a surface area of 487 acres and has a drainage area of 8.93 square miles. The dam has a high hazard potential but is currently in satisfactory condition, as indicated by its last assessment in September 2017. The dam is regulated by the California Department of Water Resources (DWR) and undergoes regular inspections and enforcement measures to ensure its safety.
Water resource and climate enthusiasts visiting Bidwell Lake can appreciate its historical significance as a vital water source for the community. With its scenic surroundings and recreational opportunities, this reservoir showcases the intersection of human infrastructure with natural beauty, making it a fascinating destination for those interested in water management and sustainability efforts in California.
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 Bidwell Lake -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Spanish C Ab Blackhawk C At Keddie Ca | 128 cfs | → |
| Spanish C A Quincy Ca | 61 cfs | → |
| N Yuba R Bl Goodyears Bar Ca | 663 cfs | → |
| Hat C Nr Hat Creek Ca | 195 cfs | → |
| Butte C Nr Chico Ca | 320 cfs | → |
| Deer C Nr Vina Ca | 255 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Bidwell Lake.
Boat launches
- Volcanic Legacy Scenic Byway, California
- Plumas County
- Lost Cove Boat Ramp
- Oroville-Quincy Road 17000-17046, Meadow Valley
- Peninsula Road, Strawberry Valley
Campgrounds
- Greenville Campground
- Greenville Community Campground
- Spanish Creek Campground
- Spanish Creek Group Campground
- Spanish Creek (Family )
- Taylorsville Community Campground
Fishing spots
- Deerheart Creek
- Mountain Meadows Reservoir
- Butt Valley Reservoir
- Goodrich Creek
- Hamilton Branch
- Almanor Lake
Paddle runs
- Pond In Sec 35, T26n, R9e To Confluence With Spanish Creek
- Silver Lake To Meadow Valley
- Confluence Of Spanish Creek And Indian Creek To Confluence With North Fork Feather River
- Nf Boundary To Confluence With Yellow Creek
- Caribou Reservoir To Beldon
- Nf Boundary To Confluence With North Fork Feather River
More reservoirs
Track Bidwell Lake 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 Bidwell Lake
Where does the data for Bidwell Lake 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 Bidwell Lake.