Indian Creek dam
Indian Creek
Indian Creek, located in Alpine, California, is a vital water resource managed by a public utility for various purposes including irrigation, recreation, and water supply. The dam, completed in 1967, stands at a height of 71 feet and has a hydraulic height of 63 feet. With a storage capacity of 3,160 acre-feet and a surface area of 160 acres, Indian Creek plays a crucial role in supporting the local ecosystem and communities.
The dam is under state jurisdiction and regulated by the Department of Water Resources for safety and inspection. Despite being classified as having a high hazard potential, the condition assessment in 2017 deemed it satisfactory. The last inspection in 2019 showed a regular inspection frequency of once per year. The dam's emergency action plan status and risk assessment measures are currently unknown, highlighting the need for continued monitoring and management to ensure the safety and sustainability of Indian Creek for both water resource and climate enthusiasts.
In the scenic town of Paynesville, Indian Creek stands as a testament to the delicate balance between water management and environmental conservation. With its rich history of serving as a water supply source and recreational spot, the dam at Indian Creek symbolizes the intersection of human needs and natural resources. As climate change impacts the availability and quality of water resources, Indian Creek serves as a reminder of the importance of sustainable practices and proactive risk management in safeguarding our precious water sources for future generations.
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 Indian Creek -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| E F Carson R Bl Markleeville C Nr Markleevilleca | 380 cfs | → |
| West Fork Carson River At Woodfords | 106 cfs | → |
| Bryant C Nr Gardnerville | 7 cfs | → |
| Leviathan C Ab Aspen C Nr Markleeville Ca | 0 cfs | → |
| 4l C Nr Markleeville Ca | 0 cfs | → |
| Leviathan C Channel Underdrain Nr Markleeville Ca | 0 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Indian Creek.
Boat launches
- Indian Creek Camp Ground Day Use Area
- Summit Lake Trail Alpine County
- Topaz Park Road Douglas County
- Amador County
- Cave Rock Boat Launch Douglas County
- Golf Course Outer Trail Carson City
Campgrounds
Fishing spots
Paddle runs
- Centerville Flat To Hangman's Bridge
- Source Sec 24, T6n, R21e To Centerville Flat
- Headwaters In Sec 2, T9n, R18e To Confluence With Mokelumne River
- Headwaters To South Of Upper Truckee Road (Sec Line Between 17/20 Intercepts River And Unnamed Tributary)
- Headwaters In Sec 7, T11n, R18e To Blair Bridge
- Headwaters In Sec 15,T10n, R17e To Confluence With Silver Fork Of American River
More reservoirs
Track Indian Creek 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 Indian Creek
Where does the data for Indian Creek 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 Indian Creek.