Red Lake dam
Red Lake
Red Lake, located in Hope Valley, California, is a state-regulated dam with a primary purpose of water supply. Built in 1924 by the Natural Resources Conservation Service, this earth dam stands at a height of 35 feet and has a storage capacity of 1410 acre-feet. The dam spans 1920 feet and impounds Red Lake Creek, creating a surface area of 85 acres and serving irrigation and water supply needs in the region.
With a high hazard potential but a satisfactory condition assessment as of September 2017, Red Lake Dam is subject to regular inspections and enforcement by the California Department of Water Resources for dam safety. The dam's emergency action plan was last reviewed in March 2021, ensuring that necessary measures are in place in the event of a crisis. Its location in Alpine County, within the jurisdiction of the state, highlights its importance in managing water resources in the region.
Overall, Red Lake Dam plays a crucial role in water management in California, serving as a vital infrastructure for water supply and irrigation. With its state-regulated status and satisfactory condition assessment, the dam stands as a testament to the importance of proper maintenance and oversight in ensuring the safety and reliability of water resources in the area. Its history, design, and purpose make it a significant feature in the local landscape and a key asset for climate and water resource enthusiasts to study and appreciate.
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 Red Lake -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Upper Truckee R At S Upper Truckee Rd Nr Meyers Ca | 4 cfs | → |
| West Fork Carson River At Woodfords | 286 cfs | → |
| Upper Truckee R At Hwy 50 Above Meyers Ca | 216 cfs | → |
| E F Carson R Bl Markleeville C Nr Markleevilleca | 1,110 cfs | → |
| Trout C Nr Tahoe Valley Ca | 52 cfs | → |
| Up Truckee R A South Lake Tahoe Ca | 213 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Red Lake.
Boat launches
- Amador County
- Summit Lake Trail Alpine County
- Indian Creek Camp Ground Day Use Area
- Cave Rock Boat Launch Douglas County
- Topaz Park Road Douglas County
- Junction Boat Ramp Road El Dorado County
Campgrounds
- Woods Lake Campground
- Hope Valley Campground
- Hope Valley
- Lost Campings
- Upper Blue Lake
- Caples Lake Campground
Fishing spots
Paddle runs
- Headwaters In Sec 2, T9n, R18e To Confluence With Mokelumne River
- Headwaters In Sec 15,T10n, R17e To Confluence With Silver Fork Of American River
- Headwaters To South Of Upper Truckee Road (Sec Line Between 17/20 Intercepts River And Unnamed Tributary)
- Headwaters In Sec 7, T11n, R18e To Blair Bridge
- Centerville Flat To Hangman's Bridge
- State Highway 50 To 1/4 Mile North Of State Highway 50
More reservoirs
Track Red Lake 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 Red Lake
Where does the data for Red Lake 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 Red Lake.