Finnon Lake dam
Finnon Lake
Finnon Lake, located in El Dorado County, California, is a significant water resource for the region, serving as a vital water supply source. The dam at Finnon Lake, completed in 2012, stands at a height of 46 feet and has a storage capacity of 400 acre-feet. With a surface area of 35 acres and a drainage area of 0.27 square miles, Finnon Lake plays a crucial role in providing water for both recreational activities and domestic use.
Managed by a public utility, the dam at Finnon Lake is regulated by the Department of Water Resources (DWR) under the Safety of Dams program. The dam has been assessed as being in satisfactory condition, with a significant hazard potential. Regular inspections are conducted to ensure its structural integrity and safety. The surrounding area, including the Jay Bird Creek and the city of Coloma, benefits from the water supplied by Finnon Lake, contributing to the overall water resource management in the region.
Visitors to Finnon Lake can enjoy a range of recreational activities in addition to appreciating its role as a vital water supply source. The lake's serene surroundings and ample water storage capacity make it a valuable asset for both water resource and climate enthusiasts. With its strategic location and essential functions, Finnon Lake stands as a testament to the importance of sustainable water management practices in ensuring the well-being of communities and ecosystems in the area.
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 Finnon Lake -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Pilot C Bl Mutton Canyon Nr Georgetown Ca | 2 cfs | → |
| Pilot C Ab Stumpy Meadows Res Ca | 3 cfs | → |
| Nf American R A North Fork Dam Ca | 773 cfs | → |
| Deer C Nr Cameron Park Ca | 8 cfs | → |
| Cosumnes R A Michigan Bar Ca | 358 cfs | → |
| American R A Fair Oaks Ca | 3,550 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Finnon Lake.
Boat launches
- Rock Creek Road El Dorado County
- Forebay Road El Dorado County
- Poho Ridge El Dorado County
- River Trail El Dorado County
- Sly Park Road, Pollock Pines
- Oxbow Raft Put-In Site
Campgrounds
- Finnon Lake
- Dru Barner
- Dru Barner Campground
- Mother Lode River Center
- Georgetown Airport Campground
- Ponderosa Cove
Fishing spots
- Stumpy Meadows Lake
- Lake Clementine
- Folsom Lake
- Union Valley Reservoir
- Pg&E Rock Creek Lake Fishing Access
- Lake Combie
Track Finnon 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 Finnon Lake
Where does the data for Finnon 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 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 Finnon Lake.