Dawson Lake dam
Dawson Lake
Dawson Lake, located in Waterford, California, is a vital water resource owned and regulated by the state's Department of Water Resources. Built in 1896, this earth dam stands at a height of 22 feet and serves multiple purposes, including hydroelectric power generation, irrigation, and water supply. With a storage capacity of 960 acre-feet and a surface area of 137 acres, Dawson Lake plays a crucial role in managing water resources in the region.
Despite its age, Dawson Lake has a low hazard potential and is deemed to be in satisfactory condition following a recent inspection in March 2021. The dam is monitored and inspected regularly by state authorities, ensuring its safety and functionality for the community it serves. With the Tuolumne River as its primary water source, Dawson Lake contributes to the local ecosystem and provides essential water for various uses, demonstrating its importance in water management and climate resilience efforts in the region.
As a public utility, Dawson Lake is a key infrastructure for water supply in Stanislaus County, California. The dam's presence not only supports the needs of the community but also reflects the state's commitment to effective water resource management and safety regulations. Its historical significance, combined with its modern-day functionality, makes Dawson Lake a valuable asset for water enthusiasts and climate advocates interested in sustainable water management practices.
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 Dawson Lake -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Modesto Cn Nr La Grange Ca | 834 cfs | → |
| Tuolumne R Bl Lagrange Dam Nr Lagrange Ca | 186 cfs | → |
| Turlock Cn Nr La Grange Ca | 912 cfs | → |
| Big C Ab Whites Gulch Nr Groveland Ca | 1 cfs | → |
| Black C Nr Copperopolis Ca | 1 cfs | → |
| Tuolumne R A Modesto Ca | 190 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Dawson Lake.
Boat launches
Campgrounds
- Blue Oaks - Don Pedro Rec Area
- Turlock Lake State Rec Area
- Fleming Meadow - Don Pedro Rec Area
- Modesto Reservoir
- Barrett Cove Rec Area
- Mcclure Point Rec Area
Fishing spots
Paddle runs
- Clavey River From Cottonwood Road To Confluence With Tuolumne
- Confluence With Middle Fork Tuolumne River To Confluence With Tuolumne River
- Clavey River From 3n01 To Cottonwood Road
- Confluence With North Fork And Middle Fork Stanislaus To Clark Flat
- Sandbar To Confluence With North Fork Stanislaus River
- Clavey River At Confluence Of Bell And Lily Creeks To 3n01
Track Dawson 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 Dawson Lake
Where does the data for Dawson 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 Dawson Lake.