Rubicon Auxiliary dam
Rubicon Auxiliary
The Rubicon Auxiliary dam, located in El Dorado County, California, is a key component of the state's water resource infrastructure. Built in 1963 by the renowned design firm Bechtel, this concrete gravity dam stands at a height of 13 feet and serves primarily for hydroelectric power generation. With a storage capacity of 1439 acre-feet and a maximum discharge of 13000 cubic feet per second, the dam plays a crucial role in regulating water flow from the Feather River.
Managed by the Public Utility, the Rubicon Auxiliary dam is subject to extensive state regulation and inspection to ensure its structural integrity and safe operation. The dam's low hazard potential and moderate risk assessment underscore the importance of ongoing monitoring and maintenance efforts. In addition to its primary function of hydroelectric power generation, the dam also provides recreational opportunities for the surrounding area, making it a valuable asset for both water resource management and local community engagement.
As a part of the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission's jurisdiction, the Rubicon Auxiliary dam symbolizes the intersection of federal oversight and state-level cooperation in ensuring the safety and sustainability of water resources in California. With its strategic location in Folsom and proximity to the city's infrastructure, the dam serves as a critical piece of the region's water management system. Its historical significance, modern design, and multi-purpose utility make the Rubicon Auxiliary dam a fascinating subject for water resource and climate enthusiasts alike.
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 Rubicon Auxiliary -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| General C Nr Meeks Bay Ca | 16 cfs | → |
| Blackwood C Nr Tahoe City Ca | 87 cfs | → |
| Ward C At Hwy 89 Nr Tahoe Pines Ca | 53 cfs | → |
| Truckee R A Tahoe City Ca | 352 cfs | → |
| Up Truckee R A South Lake Tahoe Ca | 213 cfs | → |
| Trout C Nr Tahoe Valley Ca | 52 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Rubicon Auxiliary .
⚓ Boat launches
- Ice House Road El Dorado County
- Dry Lakes Trail El Dorado County
- Mosquito Ridge Rd, California
- Cave Rock Boat Launch Douglas County
- Junction Boat Ramp Road El Dorado County
- Lakeshore Boulevard , 89452 Nevada
⛺ Campgrounds
- Pleasant Campground
- Pleasant Dispersed
- Northshore
- Red Fir Group Campground
- Loon Lake Campground
- Loon Lake Group Campground
🎣 Fishing spots
More fishing →Track Rubicon Auxiliary 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 Rubicon Auxiliary
Where does the data for Rubicon Auxiliary 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 Rubicon Auxiliary .