Alpine Auxiliary No. 2 dam
Alpine Auxiliary No. 2
Alpine Auxiliary No. 2 is a private-owned dam located in Dorrington, California, serving multiple purposes including hydroelectric power generation, recreation, and water supply. This rockfill dam stands at 21 meters in height and has a storage capacity of 4,300 acre-feet, with a maximum discharge of 3,400 cubic feet per second. Situated on Silver Creek, this dam is regulated by the California Department of Water Resources and inspected by the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission, ensuring its safety and compliance with state and federal regulations.
With a low hazard potential and a moderate risk assessment rating, Alpine Auxiliary No. 2 provides essential services while also offering recreational opportunities in the surrounding area. The dam has a spillway width of 166 meters and an uncontrolled spillway type, contributing to its efficient water management capabilities. The dam's condition assessment is not available, highlighting the need for ongoing monitoring and maintenance to ensure its continued operation and safety for the community.
Alpine Auxiliary No. 2 plays a crucial role in the water resource infrastructure of Alpine County, California, with its strategic location and reliable operation contributing to the region's water management and energy needs. With a comprehensive emergency action plan in place and regular inspections by regulatory agencies, this dam stands as a testament to effective dam management practices and the importance of ensuring the safety and resilience of critical water infrastructure in the face of changing climate conditions.
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 Alpine Auxiliary No. 2 -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| E F Carson R Bl Markleeville C Nr Markleevilleca | 1,110 cfs | → |
| Upper Truckee R At S Upper Truckee Rd Nr Meyers Ca | 4 cfs | → |
| West Fork Carson River At Woodfords | 286 cfs | → |
| Leviathan Mine Adit Drain Nr Markleeville Ca | 0 cfs | → |
| Leviathan C Ab Mine Nr Markleeville Ca | 0 cfs | → |
| Leviathan C Channel Underdrain Nr Markleeville Ca | 0 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Alpine Auxiliary No. 2 .
Boat launches
- Amador County
- Summit Lake Trail Alpine County
- Indian Creek Camp Ground Day Use Area
- Topaz Park Road Douglas County
Campgrounds
- Lake Alpine
- Lake Alpine Campground (West Shore)
- Silvertip
- Silvertip Campground
- Pine Marten Campground
- Lodgepole Overflow
Fishing spots
Paddle runs
- Highway 4 To Salt Springs Reservoir
- Confluence With Clark Fork To Donnell Reservoir
- State Highway 108 To Donnell Reservoir
- Salt Springs Reservoir Dam To To A Point 1 Mile West Of Bear River Confluence
- Boundary Of Mokelumne Archeologic Special Interest Area To Confluence With North Fork Mokelumne River
- Headwaters In Sec 2, T9n, R18e To Confluence With Mokelumne River
Track Alpine Auxiliary No. 2 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 Alpine Auxiliary No. 2
Where does the data for Alpine Auxiliary No. 2 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 Alpine Auxiliary No. 2 .