Walnut Canyon dam
Walnut Canyon
Walnut Canyon in Orange, California, is a local government-owned dam on the Walnut Canyon river stream, completed in 1968 for the primary purpose of water supply. With a height of 187 feet and a hydraulic height of 181 feet, this earth dam has a storage capacity of 2,570 acre-feet and covers a surface area of 47 acres. The dam is regulated and inspected by the California Department of Water Resources (DWR) under the Safety of Dams program, ensuring its safety and compliance with state regulations.
Despite its satisfactory condition assessment, Walnut Canyon Dam presents a high hazard potential due to its location and the amount of water it can store. Regular inspections are conducted, with the last one taking place in May 2020, and emergency action plans are in place to address any potential risks. The dam is situated in a picturesque setting, providing both essential water resources for the local community and a habitat for various wildlife species. Climate and water resource enthusiasts will find Walnut Canyon a fascinating example of infrastructure designed to meet the water supply needs of the region while also highlighting the importance of proper dam management and maintenance in the face of changing environmental conditions.
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 Walnut Canyon -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Santa Ana R Bl Prado Dam Ca | 91 cfs | → |
| Carbon C Bl Carbon Cyn Dam Ca | · | → |
| Fullerton C Bl Fullerton Dam Nr Brea Ca | 1 cfs | → |
| Santiago C A Santa Ana Ca | · | → |
| Brea C Bl Brea Dam Nr Fullerton Ca | 0 cfs | → |
| Santa Ana R A Santa Ana Ca | · | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Walnut Canyon.
Boat launches
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Campgrounds
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Fishing spots
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River runs
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About Walnut Canyon
Where does the data for Walnut Canyon 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.