Preston dam
Preston
Preston dam, located in Amador County, California, is a vital structure managed by the public utility for water supply purposes. Built in 1949, this earth dam stands at a height of 40 feet and has a storage capacity of 268 acre-feet on Tr Mule Creek. With a high hazard potential, the dam is under the regulatory oversight of the Department of Water Resources and Safety of Dams.
Despite its satisfactory condition assessment as of September 2017, regular inspections are conducted to ensure its structural integrity and safety. The dam plays a crucial role in flood risk reduction, irrigation, and water supply for the surrounding areas. Managed by the Natural Resources Conservation Service, Preston dam is a significant component in the water resource infrastructure of the region, contributing to the overall water management efforts in California.
With its strategic location and operational efficiency, Preston dam serves as a testament to effective water resource management in the face of changing climate patterns. As climate enthusiasts and water resource specialists continue to monitor and analyze the impact of climate change on water availability and infrastructure, structures like Preston dam play a pivotal role in ensuring water security for the community amidst evolving environmental challenges.
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 Preston -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Cosumnes R A Michigan Bar Ca | 271 cfs | → |
| Deer C Nr Cameron Park Ca | 8 cfs | → |
| Laguna C Nr Elk Grove Ca | 1 cfs | → |
| American R A Fair Oaks Ca | 3,300 cfs | → |
| Morrison C Nr Sacramento Ca | 11 cfs | → |
| Arcade C Nr Del Paso Heights Ca | · | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Preston.
Boat launches
- Willow Creek Boat Ramp
- Jedediah Smith Memorial Trail, Gold River
- Lake Natoma Northern Boat Ramp
- Pennsylvania Avenue 3885, Fair Oaks
- Green Valley Road 661, El Dorado Hills
- Harrington Way 950, Carmichael
Campgrounds
- Rancho Seco Rec Area
- Oak Knoll - New Hogan Lake
- Acorn - New Hogan Lake
- Acorn Campground
- Indian Grinding Rock Campground
- Indian Grinding Rock State Park
Fishing spots
Paddle runs
More reservoirs
Track Preston 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 Preston
Where does the data for Preston 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 Preston.