Silva Flat dam
Silva Flat
Silva Flat, located in Bieber, California, is a privately owned reservoir on Juniper Creek that serves as a vital water supply for irrigation and domestic use. This Earth dam, constructed in 1926 by the Natural Resources Conservation Service, stands at a height of 11 feet and has a storage capacity of 3,900 acre-feet. With a surface area of 815 acres and a drainage area of 15.5 square miles, Silva Flat plays a crucial role in supporting agricultural activities and water resource management in the region.
The dam has been classified as having a significant hazard potential, but its condition was assessed as satisfactory during the last inspection in September 2017. The structure has a hydraulic height of 7 feet and a length of 1,250 feet, highlighting its importance in regulating water flow and storage. While details regarding spillways and outlet gates are not specified, Silva Flat's strategic location and design contribute to its effectiveness in meeting water supply needs and minimizing risks associated with potential emergencies.
Silva Flat's presence in Lassen County, California, underscores its importance in maintaining water security and supporting sustainable development in the region. As a regulated and inspected dam with a history dating back to the early 20th century, it stands as a testament to effective water management practices and the critical role of infrastructure in mitigating climate-related challenges. For water resource and climate enthusiasts, Silva Flat represents a tangible example of how human ingenuity and engineering can address pressing environmental concerns while ensuring the resilience of water supply systems for future generations.
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 Silva Flat -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Pit R Nr Canby Ca | 2 cfs | → |
| Pit R Bl Pit No 1 Ph Nr Fall River Mills Ca | 1,190 cfs | → |
| Sf Pit R Nr Likely Ca | 115 cfs | → |
| Hat C Nr Hat Creek Ca | 168 cfs | → |
| Burney C A Burney Falls Nr Burney Ca | 168 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Silva Flat.
Campgrounds
- Ash Creek Campground
- Ash Creek
- Red Tail Rim Trail South Trailhead/Campground
- Red Tail Rim Trail South Trailhead
- Red Tail Rim South
- North Eagle Lake
Fishing spots
Paddle runs
- Begins Near Muck Valley To Ends Two Miles From The Fall River Valley
- Upper Pit River Canyon
- Begins 2.5 Miles West Of Little Valley, California To Juncture With The Pit River.
- Lower Horse Creek Canyon
- Begins Immediately Southwest Of Fall River Mills, Ca To It Flows Into Shasta Lake And The Sacramento River.
- Lower Pit River Canyon
More reservoirs
Track Silva Flat 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 Silva Flat
Where does the data for Silva Flat 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 Significant 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 Silva Flat.