Phoenix dam
Phoenix
Phoenix is a historic hydroelectric dam located in East Sonora, California, along the Sullivan Creek. Built in 1880, this Earth-type structure stands at a height of 52 feet and has a storage capacity of 455 acre-feet. With a primary purpose of hydroelectric power generation, Phoenix also serves irrigation and water supply needs in the region.
Managed by a public utility, Phoenix is regulated and inspected by the California Department of Water Resources and Safety of Dams. Despite its age, the dam is in satisfactory condition and has a high hazard potential. Regular inspections ensure its safety, with the last assessment conducted in February 2021. In the event of an emergency, the dam has an Emergency Action Plan in place to guide response efforts.
As a crucial water resource infrastructure in Tuolumne County, Phoenix plays a vital role in providing renewable energy and water to the surrounding areas. With its rich history and ongoing maintenance efforts, this dam continues to support the local community's needs while adhering to regulatory standards for safety and operation.
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 Phoenix -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Big C Ab Whites Gulch Nr Groveland Ca | 1 cfs | → |
| Black C Nr Copperopolis Ca | 1 cfs | → |
| Cherry C Bl Dion R Holm Ph | 1,310 cfs | → |
| Tuolumne R Bl Early Intake Nr Mather Ca | 1,820 cfs | → |
| Cherry C Nr Early Intake Ca | 205 cfs | → |
| Tuolumne R Ab Early Intake Nr Mather Ca | 1,370 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Phoenix.
Boat launches
- Glory Hole Road 6503, Angels Camp
- Forest Route 1n10 Tuolumne County
- Merals Pool Put-In
- Forest Route 1n04, Groveland
Campgrounds
- Columbia Airport Campground
- River Ranch Campground
- Hacienda
- River Ranch
- Tuttletown Rec Area - Chamise
- Manzanita - Tuttletown Area - New Melones Lake
Fishing spots
Paddle runs
- Confluence With North Fork And Middle Fork Stanislaus To Clark Flat
- Sandbar To Confluence With North Fork Stanislaus River
- Clavey River From Cottonwood Road To Confluence With Tuolumne
- Clavey River From 3n01 To Cottonwood Road
- Below Mckay's Reservoir To Confluence With Middle Fork Stanislaus River
- One Mile Downstream Of State Park Boundary In Sec 24, T5n, R15e To Mckay's Reservoir
Track Phoenix 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 Phoenix
Where does the data for Phoenix 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 Phoenix.