Henshaw dam
Henshaw
Henshaw, also known as Lake Henshaw, is a public utility water reservoir located in Pauma Valley, California. Managed by state regulatory agencies such as the Department of Water Resources (DWR) and Safety of Dams, Henshaw plays a vital role in supplying water for irrigation and other purposes in the region. The earth dam, completed in 1923, stands at a height of 123 feet and has a maximum storage capacity of 50,000 acre-feet.
Situated on the San Luis Rey River, Henshaw covers a surface area of 2000 acres and has a drainage area of 207 square miles. With a high hazard potential but a satisfactory condition assessment, the dam is inspected regularly to ensure its safety and functionality. Despite its age, Henshaw continues to play a crucial role in water resource management in the area, serving as a reliable source of water supply for the surrounding communities.
The dam's emergency action plan (EAP) is periodically reviewed and updated to meet guidelines, ensuring that proper risk management measures are in place. With its strategic location and significant storage capacity, Henshaw remains a key asset in the region's water infrastructure, highlighting the importance of sustainable water resource management and climate resilience in the face of changing environmental conditions.
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 Henshaw -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Santa Ysabel C Nr Ramona Ca | 0 cfs | → |
| Guejito C Nr San Pasqual Ca | 0 cfs | → |
| Santa Maria C Nr Ramona Ca | · | → |
| Temecula C Nr Aguanga Ca | · | → |
| Santa Margarita R Nr Temecula Ca | 7 cfs | → |
| Rainbow C Nr Fallbrook Ca | 0 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Henshaw.
Boat launches
- Highway 76 26439, Santa Ysabel
- Sutherland Dam Road 21568-21722, Ramona
- Vail Lake Boat Ramp
- Lake Hodges Boat Launching Area
- Warren Road 37701, Temecula
- Anglers Landing, Mountain Center
Campgrounds
- Crestline Picnic Area
- Crestline Group Campground
- Indian Flats Campground
- Atáxam Mámta’Ash Campground (Indian Flats)
- Indian Flats
- Observatory Campground
Fishing spots
Paddle runs
- Forest Boundary, Above Zoo Creek Below Spillway (S1/2, Sec 3, T11s, R2e) To La Jolla Indian Reservation Boundary (N1/2, Sec 31, T10s, R2e)
- Confluence Of Fry And Iron Spring Creeks (E1/2, Sec 3, T10s,R1e To Se1/4 Sec 16, T10s, R2e
- Santa Margarita River
- Crouch Ranch To Morena Reservoir
- Palm Canyon
More reservoirs
Track Henshaw 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 Henshaw
Where does the data for Henshaw 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 Henshaw.