Rodden Lake dam
Rodden Lake
Rodden Lake in East Oakdale, California, is a captivating water resource for hydroelectric power, irrigation, and water supply. Built in 1916, this earth dam stands at 40 feet high and spans 320 feet in length, with a storage capacity of 380 acre-feet. The lake is fed by Lesnini Creek and serves as a crucial water source for the surrounding area, covering a surface area of 44 acres and draining an area of 1.36 square miles.
Managed by the California Department of Water Resources (DWR) for safety and regulatory oversight, Rodden Lake boasts a low hazard potential and a satisfactory condition assessment. The dam is inspected annually, with the last assessment conducted in January 2021. It is reassuring to know that the state of California takes its responsibility for ensuring the safety and functionality of this essential water resource seriously, with permitting, inspection, and enforcement all in place.
With its rich history, vital purpose, and meticulous maintenance, Rodden Lake stands as a testament to the intersection of water resource management and climate resilience. From powering hydroelectric generators to supporting local agriculture through irrigation, this lake plays a vital role in the water infrastructure of Stanislaus County. For water resource and climate enthusiasts, Rodden Lake is a prime example of how strategic planning and regulatory oversight can ensure sustainable water management practices for generations to come.
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 Rodden Lake -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Black C Nr Copperopolis Ca | 1 cfs | → |
| Tuolumne R A Modesto Ca | 188 cfs | → |
| Modesto Cn Nr La Grange Ca | 783 cfs | → |
| Stanislaus R A Ripon Ca | 2,020 cfs | → |
| Tuolumne R Bl Lagrange Dam Nr Lagrange Ca | 184 cfs | → |
| Turlock Cn Nr La Grange Ca | 910 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Rodden Lake.
Campgrounds
- Horseshoe Road Recreation Area & Campground
- Woodward Reservoir
- South Lake Tulloch R.V. Campground & Marina
- Modesto Reservoir
- Turlock Lake State Rec Area
- Ironhorse- Glory Hole Area - New Melones Lake
Fishing spots
Paddle runs
- Confluence With North Fork And Middle Fork Stanislaus To Clark Flat
- Sandbar To Confluence With North Fork Stanislaus River
- Clavey River From Cottonwood Road To Confluence With Tuolumne
- Mokelumne River
- Below Mckay's Reservoir To Confluence With Middle Fork Stanislaus River
More reservoirs
Track Rodden 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 Rodden Lake
Where does the data for Rodden 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 Low 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 Rodden Lake.