Forest Lake dam
Forest Lake
Forest Lake in Pebble Beach, California, is a vital water resource managed by a public utility agency. With a history dating back to 1892, this offstream dam serves the primary purpose of water supply for irrigation and other uses in the area. The earth dam stands at a height of 65 feet and has a storage capacity of 352.6 acre-feet, providing essential water storage for the region.
This dam, with a hazard potential rated as high, is regularly inspected and maintained to ensure its structural integrity and safety. The last inspection in November 2020 found the condition to be satisfactory, meeting regulatory standards set by the California Department of Water Resources. Located in the picturesque Monterey County, Forest Lake plays a crucial role in managing water resources and supporting the local ecosystem, making it a focal point for water resource and climate enthusiasts interested in sustainable water management practices.
Overall, Forest Lake represents a significant piece of California's water infrastructure, contributing to water supply and irrigation needs while also emphasizing the importance of maintaining dam safety and regulatory compliance. As climate change impacts water availability and quality, understanding and managing such water resources are essential for ensuring a sustainable future for the region. Forest Lake serves as a reminder of the intricate connection between water resources, climate resilience, and environmental stewardship in the face of changing climate patterns.
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 Forest Lake -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Carmel R Nr Carmel Ca | 5 cfs | → |
| Carmel R A Robles Del Rio Ca | 10 cfs | → |
| Salinas R Nr Spreckels Ca | 27 cfs | → |
| Reclamation Ditch Nr Salinas Ca | 1 cfs | → |
| Gabilan C Nr Salinas Ca | 0 cfs | → |
| Salinas R Nr Chualar Ca | 81 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Forest Lake.
Boat launches
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Campgrounds
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Fishing spots
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River runs
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About Forest Lake
Where does the data for Forest 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 below 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.
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.