Junction dam
Junction
Junction, a hydroelectric dam located in Coloma, California, is a significant structure managed by a public utility. Designed by Bechtel and completed in 1962, this concrete dam stands at a height of 168 feet with a hydraulic height of 150 feet, serving as a crucial component in the South Fork Silver Creek. With a storage capacity of 3000 acre-feet and a maximum discharge of 53,000 cubic feet per second, Junction plays a vital role in regulating water flow and generating hydroelectric power in the region.
Owned by a public utility and regulated by the Department of Water Resources, Safety of Dams, Junction is subject to state inspections, permitting, and enforcement to ensure its structural integrity and operational safety. With a spillway type classified as "Uncontrolled", the dam has a significant hazard potential and is considered to have a moderate risk level. Emergency action plans are in place, with the last revision conducted in February 2021, indicating a proactive approach to managing potential risks associated with the dam.
The location of Junction in El Dorado County, California, highlights its importance in water resource management and climate adaptation efforts. As a key player in the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission's jurisdiction, Junction serves as a critical infrastructure for both water supply and hydroelectric power generation, contributing to the sustainable development of the region. With its historical significance and ongoing maintenance efforts, Junction remains a crucial asset in California's water resource and climate resilience strategies.
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 Junction -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Pilot C Ab Stumpy Meadows Res Ca | 3 cfs | → |
| Pilot C Bl Mutton Canyon Nr Georgetown Ca | 2 cfs | → |
| General C Nr Meeks Bay Ca | 15 cfs | → |
| Upper Truckee R At Hwy 50 Above Meyers Ca | 188 cfs | → |
| Blackwood C Nr Tahoe City Ca | 73 cfs | → |
| Upper Truckee R At S Upper Truckee Rd Nr Meyers Ca | 4 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Junction .
Boat launches
- Junction Boat Ramp Road El Dorado County
- Dry Lakes Trail El Dorado County
- Poho Ridge El Dorado County
- Forebay Road El Dorado County
- Sly Park Road, Pollock Pines
- Ice House Road El Dorado County
Campgrounds
Fishing spots
Paddle runs
- Ellicots Bridge To Big Grizzly Canyon
- Big Grizzly Canyon To Oxbow Reservoir
- Confluence With Van Horn Creek To Cosumnes Mine Road
- Cosumnes Mine Road To Confluence With Steely Fork Cosumnes River
- Interbay To Oxbow (End Of The World)
- Hell Hole Dam To Ellicotts Bridge
More reservoirs
Track Junction 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 Junction
Where does the data for Junction 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 Significant 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 Junction .