Drum Afterbay dam
Drum Afterbay
Drum Afterbay, a private hydroelectric facility located in Placer, California, plays a crucial role in water resource management and climate resilience. Completed in 1968, this concrete dam stands at a height of 102 feet and has a storage capacity of 341 acre-feet. The facility is regulated by the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission and undergoes regular inspections to ensure its safety and efficiency.
With a low hazard potential and a very high risk assessment rating, Drum Afterbay is equipped with a controlled spillway and outlet gates to manage water flow and prevent potential emergencies. The facility's location on the Bear River, under the jurisdiction of the California Department of Water Resources, highlights its importance in maintaining water quality and supply for the surrounding area. Drum Afterbay serves as a model for sustainable hydroelectric infrastructure, contributing to both energy production and water conservation efforts in California.
As water resource and climate enthusiasts, the significance of Drum Afterbay lies in its capacity to harness renewable energy while also serving as a vital component of the region's water infrastructure. The facility's adherence to state regulations, regular inspections, and emergency preparedness measures demonstrate a commitment to sustainability and environmental stewardship. Drum Afterbay stands as a beacon of innovation in water management, offering a glimpse into the intersection of energy production, water conservation, and climate resilience.
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 Drum Afterbay -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| N Yuba R Bl Goodyears Bar Ca | 549 cfs | → |
| Pilot C Bl Mutton Canyon Nr Georgetown Ca | 2 cfs | → |
| Nf American R A North Fork Dam Ca | 587 cfs | → |
| Deer C Nr Smartville Ca | 40 cfs | → |
| Pilot C Ab Stumpy Meadows Res Ca | 3 cfs | → |
| Little Truckee R Bl Div Dam Nr Sierraville Ca | 3 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Drum Afterbay .
Boat launches
- Iowa Hill Road Placer County
- Lake Spaulding Road 10260, Nevada City
- Fuller Lake Boating Site
- Oxbow Raft Put-In Site
- Meadow Lake Road Nevada County
- Woodcamp Access Road Nevada County
Campgrounds
Fishing spots
Paddle runs
- One-Half Mile West Of Confluence With Fall Creek To Confluence With Jefferson Creek
- Langs Crossing Bridge To One-Half Mile West Of Confluence With Fall Creek (Boundary Of Nf And Private Land)
- Generation And Giant Gaps (Tadpole To Colfax-Iowa Hill Road)
- Chamberlain Falls (Iowa Hill To Yankee Jim)
- Yankee Jim Road To Ponderosa Way (Shirttail)
- Tunnel Run (Ralston Powerhouse To Greenwood)
Track Drum Afterbay 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 Drum Afterbay
Where does the data for Drum Afterbay 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 Drum Afterbay .