Bidwell Bar Canyon Saddle dam
Bidwell Bar Canyon Saddle
Bidwell Bar Canyon Saddle, located in Oroville, California, is a state-regulated dam with a primary purpose of flood risk reduction. Completed in 1968, this earth dam stands at a height of 47 feet and has a hydraulic height of 25 feet. With a normal storage capacity of 3,540,000 acre-feet, it serves multiple purposes including hydroelectric power generation, irrigation, recreation, and water supply for the surrounding area. The dam is situated on the Feather River and is under the jurisdiction of the Department of Water Resources, with regular inspections and enforcement measures in place to ensure its safety and functionality.
The structure spans 2,270 feet in length and covers a surface area of 15,800 acres, with a drainage area of 3,611 acres. Despite its high hazard potential, the condition assessment of Bidwell Bar Canyon Saddle is currently not available. Emergency action plans are in place, with the most recent revision dating back to December 2020. The risk assessment for this dam is classified as high, warranting close monitoring and management to mitigate any potential threats to downstream communities. Overall, Bidwell Bar Canyon Saddle stands as a crucial infrastructure for water resource management and climate resilience in the region, showcasing the importance of sustainable dam operations in safeguarding against floods and ensuring water security for all stakeholders involved.
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 Bar Canyon Saddle -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Butte C Nr Chico Ca | 180 cfs | → |
| Deer C Nr Smartville Ca | 6 cfs | → |
| Yuba R Nr Marysville Ca | 528 cfs | → |
| N Yuba R Bl Goodyears Bar Ca | 190 cfs | → |
| Bear R Nr Wheatland Ca | 26 cfs | → |
| Sacramento R A Colusa Ca | 8,460 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Bidwell Bar Canyon Saddle .
Boat launches
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Campgrounds
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Fishing spots
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River runs
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About Bidwell Bar Canyon Saddle
Where does the data for Bidwell Bar Canyon Saddle 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 below 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.
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.