Rucker Lake dam
Rucker Lake
Rucker Lake, located in Nevada, California, is a private hydroelectric dam with a rich history dating back to 1856. The dam stands at a height of 22 feet and has a hydraulic height of 18 feet, serving as a vital resource for water storage and power generation in the area. With a normal storage capacity of 660 acre-feet and a maximum discharge of 1400 cubic feet per second, Rucker Lake plays a crucial role in managing water resources in the region.
Managed by the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission, Rucker Lake has a spillway width of 60 feet and a surface area of 69 acres. Despite its high hazard potential, the dam is regulated, inspected, and enforced by state authorities to ensure its safety and functionality. With a moderate risk assessment rating, efforts are in place to implement risk management measures and emergency action plans to mitigate any potential threats and ensure the continued operation of this vital hydroelectric facility.
For water resource and climate enthusiasts, Rucker Lake offers a fascinating glimpse into the intersection of infrastructure, water management, and environmental stewardship. Its historical significance, engineering design, and operational capacity make it a valuable asset in the sustainable development and conservation of water resources in California. As efforts continue to enhance safety measures and regulatory oversight, Rucker Lake remains a key player in the sustainable management of water and energy resources in the region.
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 Rucker Lake -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| N Yuba R Bl Goodyears Bar Ca | 569 cfs | → |
| Little Truckee R Bl Div Dam Nr Sierraville Ca | 3 cfs | → |
| Independence C Nr Truckee Ca | 23 cfs | → |
| Donner C A Donner Lk Nr Truckee Ca | 9 cfs | → |
| Sagehen C Nr Truckee Ca | 11 cfs | → |
| Donner C At Hwy 89 Nr Truckee Ca | 75 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Rucker Lake .
Boat launches
- Fuller Lake Boating Site
- Lake Spaulding Road 10260, Nevada City
- Meadow Lake Road Nevada County
- Woodcamp Access Road Nevada County
- Henness Pass Road, Sierraville
- Smokey Lane 44-50, Alleghany
Campgrounds
- Fuller Lake
- Campsite - Metal Bench
- Donner Summit Area - Lake Spaulding
- Lake Spaulding
- Lake Spaulding Campground
- Carr Lake
Fishing spots
Paddle runs
- Langs Crossing Bridge To One-Half Mile West Of Confluence With Fall Creek (Boundary Of Nf And Private Land)
- One-Half Mile West Of Confluence With Fall Creek To Confluence With Jefferson Creek
- Generation And Giant Gaps (Tadpole To Colfax-Iowa Hill Road)
- Royal Gorge (Soda Springs To Tadpole Creek)
- Interbay To Oxbow (End Of The World)
- Headwaters Of North Yuba River (Sec 10, T20n, R13 E) To One-Eighth Mile Downstream Of Confluence With Cherokee Creek
Track Rucker 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 Rucker Lake
Where does the data for Rucker 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 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 Rucker Lake .