Bowman Arch dam
Bowman Arch
Bowman Arch, located in California's Nevada County, is a stunning arch dam constructed in 1927 for irrigation purposes. With a height of 105 feet and a storage capacity of 68,500 acre-feet, this dam plays a crucial role in water management in the region. The dam also serves multiple purposes including hydroelectric power generation, recreation, and water supply, highlighting its importance in the local ecosystem.
Managed by the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission, Bowman Arch has a spillway width of 114 feet and a maximum discharge of 19,500 cubic feet per second. The dam's hazard potential is classified as high, emphasizing the need for regular inspections and maintenance to ensure its safety and integrity. With a history dating back almost a century, Bowman Arch stands as a testament to engineering excellence and the importance of water resource management in mitigating climate challenges and supporting sustainable development in the region.
As a multi-purpose structure with a very high risk assessment rating, Bowman Arch embodies the intricate balance between water resource utilization and environmental conservation. Its association with controlled spillways and radial outlet gates underscores the technological sophistication of the dam. With a primary focus on irrigation, the dam continues to play a vital role in supporting agriculture and water supply needs in the area. For water resource and climate enthusiasts, Bowman Arch serves as a remarkable example of sustainable infrastructure that adapts to changing environmental conditions while meeting the diverse needs of the community.
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 Bowman Arch -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| N Yuba R Bl Goodyears Bar Ca | 459 cfs | → |
| Little Truckee R Bl Div Dam Nr Sierraville Ca | 3 cfs | → |
| Independence C Nr Truckee Ca | 15 cfs | → |
| Sagehen C Nr Truckee Ca | 9 cfs | → |
| Donner C A Donner Lk Nr Truckee Ca | 8 cfs | → |
| Donner C At Hwy 89 Nr Truckee Ca | 44 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Bowman Arch .
Boat launches
- Meadow Lake Road Nevada County
- Woodcamp Access Road Nevada County
- Fuller Lake Boating Site
- Henness Pass Road, Sierraville
- Lake Spaulding Road 10260, Nevada City
- Sardine Lake Road 990, Sierra City
Campgrounds
Fishing spots
Paddle runs
- Langs Crossing Bridge To One-Half Mile West Of Confluence With Fall Creek (Boundary Of Nf And Private Land)
- One-Half Mile West Of Confluence With Fall Creek To Confluence With Jefferson Creek
- Generation And Giant Gaps (Tadpole To Colfax-Iowa Hill Road)
- Gold Lake Dam To Falls
- Headwaters Of East Fork Canyon Creek (Sec 13, T21n, R10e) To Confluence With South Fork Canyon Creek
- Little Jamison Creek Headwaters To State Park
Track Bowman Arch 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 Bowman Arch
Where does the data for Bowman Arch 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 Bowman Arch .