Lake Bordeaux dam
Lake Bordeaux
Lake Bordeaux, a private water supply reservoir located in Aetna Springs, California, serves the primary purpose of irrigation and water supply. Built in 1962, this earth dam stands at a height of 43 feet with a hydraulic height of 38.5 feet. The reservoir has a storage capacity of 538 acre-feet and covers a surface area of 39 acres, drawing water from Tr Bucksnort Creek.
Managed by the California Department of Water Resources, Lake Bordeaux is regulated, permitted, inspected, and enforced for safety by state authorities. Despite its low hazard potential, the dam's condition as of September 2017 was reported as satisfactory. With a drainage area of 0.7 square miles and a maximum discharge capacity not specified, the reservoir plays a crucial role in securing water resources in the region.
For water resource and climate enthusiasts, Lake Bordeaux offers a fascinating case study of a well-maintained private reservoir contributing to irrigation and water supply needs in Lake County, California. Its strategic location, efficient design, and state-regulated operations highlight the importance of sustainable water management practices in ensuring reliable water sources for agricultural and domestic use 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 Lake Bordeaux -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Putah C Nr Guenoc Ca | 39 cfs | → |
| Cache C Nr Lower Lake Ca | 628 cfs | → |
| Maacama C Nr Kellogg Ca | 19 cfs | → |
| Big Sulphur C A G Resort Nr Cloverdale Ca | 10 cfs | → |
| Russian R A Jimtown Ca | 174 cfs | → |
| Bear C Ab Holsten Chimney Cyn Nr Rumsey Ca | 20 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Lake Bordeaux.
Boat launches
- Ball Park Avenue 14775, Clearlake
- Chaparral Cove Napa County
- Island Drive Lake County
- Lake County
- Walker Ridge Road Lake County
- Knoxville Road 1601, Napa County
Campgrounds
- Cedar Creek Ohv Dispersed - Knoxville Ra
- Lower Hunting Creek - Knoxville Rec Area
- Hunting Creek Camp
- Horse Camp
- Calso Campground
- Ridge Campground
Fishing spots
Paddle runs
- Cache Creek
- North Fork Cache Creek
- Headwaters In Sec 28, T18n, R8w To One-Third Mile Beyond Snow Mt. Wilderness Boundary At Private Property Boundary Near Paradise Creek
More reservoirs
Track Lake Bordeaux 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 Lake Bordeaux
Where does the data for Lake Bordeaux 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 Lake Bordeaux.