Tamarac Lake dam
Tamarac Lake
Tamarac Lake in Markleeville, California, is a privately owned water supply reservoir nestled in the picturesque Alpine County. Built in 1905, this Earth dam stands at a height of 21 feet and has a storage capacity of 400 acre-feet. The lake covers a surface area of 57 acres and is primarily used for irrigation and water supply purposes. Despite its age, Tamarac Lake has been deemed to have low hazard potential and is considered to be in satisfactory condition as of the last assessment in September 2017.
Located along Tr Pleasant Vy Creek, Tamarac Lake serves as a vital resource for the surrounding area, providing water for agricultural and domestic use. The dam is regulated by the California Department of Water Resources (DWR) under the Safety of Dams program, ensuring regular inspections and enforcement of safety measures. While the dam has not undergone any modifications in recent years, it is subject to routine annual inspections to maintain its integrity and functionality.
With its serene natural surroundings and essential role in water supply management, Tamarac Lake is a valuable asset in the region. Managed with care and oversight by the state regulatory agencies, this reservoir continues to play a crucial role in sustaining the local ecosystem and meeting the water needs of the community. For water resource and climate enthusiasts, Tamarac Lake offers a fascinating example of historical dam engineering and the importance of responsible water management practices in the face of changing environmental 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 Tamarac Lake -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| E F Carson R Bl Markleeville C Nr Markleevilleca | 978 cfs | → |
| West Fork Carson River At Woodfords | 237 cfs | → |
| Upper Truckee R At S Upper Truckee Rd Nr Meyers Ca | 4 cfs | → |
| Leviathan Mine Adit Drain Nr Markleeville Ca | 0 cfs | → |
| Leviathan C Channel Underdrain Nr Markleeville Ca | 0 cfs | → |
| 4l C Nr Markleeville Ca | 0 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Tamarac Lake.
Boat launches
- Summit Lake Trail Alpine County
- Indian Creek Camp Ground Day Use Area
- Amador County
- Topaz Park Road Douglas County
- Cave Rock Boat Launch Douglas County
Campgrounds
- Lower Blue Lake
- Lower Blue Lake Campgroung (Pg&E)
- Middle Creek/Expansion
- Upper Blue Lake Dam
- Tributary Of Pleasant Valley Creek
- Upper Blue Lake
Fishing spots
Paddle runs
- Headwaters In Sec 2, T9n, R18e To Confluence With Mokelumne River
- Highway 4 To Salt Springs Reservoir
- Centerville Flat To Hangman's Bridge
- Source Sec 24, T6n, R21e To Centerville Flat
- 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)
Track Tamarac 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 Tamarac Lake
Where does the data for Tamarac 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 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 Tamarac Lake.