Sly Creek dam
Sly Creek
Sly Creek is a captivating hydroelectric dam located in Butte County, California, near the Woodleaf Powerhouse. Built in 1961 by Bechtel, this Earth-type dam stands at an impressive height of 299 feet with a hydraulic height of 260 feet. Its primary purpose is to generate hydroelectric power, but it also serves irrigation and water supply needs in the region. The dam has a storage capacity of 65,650 acre-feet, covering a surface area of 619 acres and draining an area of 24 square miles.
Managed by the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission, Sly Creek is a crucial water resource in California, providing a maximum discharge of 19,500 cubic feet per second through a controlled spillway. With a high hazard potential and very high risk assessment, the dam is closely monitored and inspected by state agencies to ensure its safety. Despite its age, Sly Creek continues to play a vital role in water management and power generation, contributing to the sustainable development of the region.
Enthusiasts of water resources and climate will be fascinated by Sly Creek's engineering marvels and its significant impact on the local ecosystem. From its impressive structural height to its controlled spillway and high-risk assessment, Sly Creek stands as a testament to the ingenuity and importance of hydroelectric infrastructure in California. As climate change continues to challenge water management practices, dams like Sly Creek play a crucial role in meeting the region's growing energy and water needs while prioritizing safety and sustainability.
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 Sly Creek -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| N Yuba R Bl Goodyears Bar Ca | 175 cfs | → |
| Deer C Nr Smartville Ca | 3 cfs | → |
| Spanish C A Quincy Ca | 20 cfs | → |
| Spanish C Ab Blackhawk C At Keddie Ca | 39 cfs | → |
| Butte C Nr Chico Ca | 164 cfs | → |
| Yuba R Nr Marysville Ca | 522 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Sly Creek .
Boat launches
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Campgrounds
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Fishing spots
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River runs
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About Sly Creek
Where does the data for Sly Creek 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.