Niegel dam
Niegel
Niegel is a private water supply dam located in Lotus, California, on the scenic Hastings Creek. Built in 1951, this earth dam stands at a height of 63 feet and has a storage capacity of 99 acre-feet. With a primary purpose of water supply, it also serves for irrigation and recreation purposes, reflecting the multi-functional role of dams in water resource management.
Managed by the California Department of Water Resources, Niegel is subject to state regulations for safety and inspection. Its condition assessment in 2017 was deemed satisfactory, but its significant hazard potential underscores the importance of regular monitoring and maintenance. With a last inspection date in February 2020, the dam meets guidelines for emergency action plans, yet further risk assessment measures are not specified.
Located within El Dorado County, Niegel is under the jurisdiction of the San Francisco District of the US Army Corps of Engineers. Its strategic position and role in water management make it a notable structure for enthusiasts of water resources and climate, highlighting the intricate balance between human development and environmental stewardship in the region.
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 Niegel -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Nf American R A North Fork Dam Ca | 732 cfs | → |
| Deer C Nr Cameron Park Ca | 8 cfs | → |
| Pilot C Bl Mutton Canyon Nr Georgetown Ca | 2 cfs | → |
| Dry C A Vernon St Bridge A Roseville Ca | 159 cfs | → |
| American R A Fair Oaks Ca | 3,630 cfs | → |
| Pilot C Ab Stumpy Meadows Res Ca | 3 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Niegel.
Boat launches
- River Trail El Dorado County
- Rattlesnake Road Placer County
- Oak Hill Road 7935, Pilot Hill
- Oaks Nature Trail El Dorado County
- Rock Creek Road El Dorado County
- Park Road, Granite Bay
Campgrounds
- Mother Lode River Center
- Rucky A Chucky - Auburn State Rec Area
- Georgetown Airport Campground
- Peninsula - Folsom Lake State Rec Area
- Folsom Lake Peninsula Campground
- Dru Barner
Fishing spots
- Lake Clementine
- Pg&E Rock Creek Lake Fishing Access
- Folsom Lake
- Lake Combie
- Lake Of The Pines
- Natoma Lake
Paddle runs
- The Gorge
- Greenwood To Mammoth Bar
- Coloma To Greenwood - (C To G)
- South Fork American River
- Chili Bar
- Yankee Jim Road To Ponderosa Way (Shirttail)
More reservoirs
Track Niegel 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 Niegel
Where does the data for Niegel 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 Niegel.