Copco No 1 dam
Copco No 1
Copco No 1 is a privately-owned hydroelectric dam located on the Klamath River in Siskiyou County, California. Completed in 1922, this gravity dam stands at a height of 230 feet and has a structural height of 250 feet. With a storage capacity of 60,000 acre-feet and a surface area of 1,000 acres, Copco No 1 plays a crucial role in water resource management and hydroelectric power generation in the region.
The dam is regulated by the State of California and is subject to regular inspections by the Department of Water Resources and the Safety of Dams agency. It has a high hazard potential and a very high risk assessment rating, indicating the importance of proper maintenance and emergency preparedness. Copco No 1 also serves multiple purposes, including fish and wildlife habitat, recreation, and hydroelectric power generation, making it a vital asset for both the environment and the local community.
With its impressive infrastructure and significant impact on water resources and climate, Copco No 1 stands as a key player in the sustainable management of the Klamath River watershed. Its controlled spillway, Tainter and Vertical Lift outlet gates, and rock foundation highlight the engineering ingenuity behind this historic dam. As water resource and climate enthusiasts, understanding the complexities and importance of structures like Copco No 1 is essential for ensuring the long-term resilience and sustainability of our water systems.
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 Copco No 1 -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| East Fork Ashland Creek Near Ashland | 4 cfs | → |
| West Fork Ashland Creek Near Ashland | 4 cfs | → |
| Bear Creek Blw Ashland Creek At Ashland | 39 cfs | → |
| Bear Creek At Medford | 34 cfs | → |
| Star Gulch Near Ruch | 0 cfs | → |
| Applegate River Near Copper | 150 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Copco No 1.
Boat launches
- Cascade Boat Ramp & Dock
- Hyatt Lake Recreation Area
- Mountain View Boat Ramp & Dock
- Wildcat Campground
- Upper Klamath River Access
- Songer Wayside
Campgrounds
- Frain Ranch Camp
- Klamath River Campground
- Martins Dairy Campground
- Hyatt Lake Campground
- Martins Dairy Horse Camp
- Cascade Meadows Reservable Group Site
Fishing spots
Track Copco No 1 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 Copco No 1
Where does the data for Copco No 1 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 Copco No 1.