Poe dam
Poe
Poe, a hydroelectric dam located in Butte, California, stands as a testament to engineering excellence with its concrete gravity structure towering 80 feet high. Completed in 1958, Poe harnesses the power of the North Fork Feather River to generate electricity, boasting a maximum storage capacity of 1204 acre-feet and a normal storage level of 1150 acre-feet. The dam's controlled spillway, with a width of 243 feet, ensures efficient water management during periods of excess discharge.
Owned and regulated by private entities, Poe is subject to state oversight by the Department of Water Resources and the Safety of Dams program. Despite its low hazard potential, Poe has been designated as a site with very high risk, underscoring the importance of robust risk management measures. With six Tainter radial gates serving as its outlet, Poe plays a crucial role in providing reliable hydroelectric power to the region while maintaining a strong focus on safety and compliance with state regulations.
The dam's strategic location in Pulga, California, within the San Francisco District of the US Army Corps of Engineers, highlights its significance in water resource management and climate adaptation efforts. With a drainage area of 1942 square miles and a surface area of 53.3 acres, Poe not only contributes to renewable energy production but also serves as a critical component in the overall water infrastructure of the region. As water resource and climate enthusiasts, the intricate details of Poe's design, operation, and maintenance offer a fascinating glimpse into the intersection of engineering innovation and environmental stewardship in the face of changing climate patterns.
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 Poe -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Butte C Nr Chico Ca | 295 cfs | → |
| Spanish C A Quincy Ca | 53 cfs | → |
| Spanish C Ab Blackhawk C At Keddie Ca | 107 cfs | → |
| Deer C Nr Vina Ca | 232 cfs | → |
| N Yuba R Bl Goodyears Bar Ca | 549 cfs | → |
| Mill C Nr Los Molinos Ca | 272 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Poe .
Boat launches
- Oroville-Quincy Road 17000-17046, Meadow Valley
- Plumas County
- Potters Ravine, Oroville
- Butte County
- Bidwell Canyon Trail, Oroville
Campgrounds
- Rogers Cow Camp (Family )
- Rogers Cow Camp
- Little North Fork
- Little North Fork Campground
- Milsap Bar
- Milsap Bar Campground
Fishing spots
- Oroville Lake
- Bucks Lake
- Thermalito Afterbay
- Butt Valley Reservoir
- Bullards Bar Reservoir
- Merle Collins Reservoir
Track Poe 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 Poe
Where does the data for Poe 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 Poe .