Foster dam
Foster
Foster, located in Idyllwild, California, is a vital water supply dam on Lily Creek, completed in 1945 with a height of 38 feet and a storage capacity of 56 acre-feet. Owned and regulated by the state of California, Foster serves primarily for water supply purposes and is classified as an Earth dam with a high hazard potential. Despite its age, Foster is reported to be in satisfactory condition, last inspected in October 2019 with a regular inspection frequency of 1 year.
Managed by the Department of Water Resources and Safety of Dams, Foster plays a crucial role in maintaining the water resources in Riverside County. With a surface area of 6 acres and a drainage area of 0.85 square miles, Foster has a hydraulic height of 31 feet and a total length of 277 feet. Additionally, Foster is situated in a picturesque setting, serving as a reliable source of water for the surrounding community while also being subject to state regulation, inspection, and enforcement to ensure its safety and functionality for years to come.
In the event of an emergency, Foster's emergency action plan (EAP) status is not explicitly mentioned in the data, suggesting potential gaps in emergency preparedness measures. However, with its satisfactory condition and regular inspections, Foster remains a critical infrastructure for water supply in the region, supported by state agencies and officials. As water resources and climate enthusiasts, understanding the importance and condition of dams like Foster is essential for sustainable water management and resilience in the face of changing climate patterns.
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 Foster -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| San Jacinto R Nr San Jacinto | 0 cfs | → |
| Snow C Nr White Water Ca | · | → |
| Falls C Nr Whitewater Ca | 1 cfs | → |
| Chino Cyn C Bl Tramway Nr Palm Springs Ca | · | → |
| Andreas C Nr Palm Springs Ca | 1 cfs | → |
| Tahquitz C Nr Palm Springs Ca | 2 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Foster.
Boat launches
- Anglers Landing, Mountain Center
- Warren Road 37701, Temecula
- Vail Lake Boat Ramp
- Goetz Road Riverside County
Campgrounds
- Idyllwild - Mount San Jacinto State Park
- Idyllwild County Park
- South Ridge Yellow Post
- Strawberry Junction
- Stone Creek - San Jacinto Mountain State Park
- Fern Basin
Fishing spots
- Foster Lake
- Fuller Mill Creek
- Strawberry Creek
- Lake Fulmor
- Lake Fulmor Day Use Area
- Lake Hemet Day Use Area
Track Foster 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 Foster
Where does the data for Foster 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 Foster.