Indian Valley dam
Indian Valley
Indian Valley is a captivating water resource and climate enthusiast's dream, located in Lake County, California. This local government-owned dam, managed by CH2M Hill, was completed in 1975 with a primary purpose of irrigation. The dam, standing at a height of 207 feet, serves multiple purposes including fish and wildlife pond, flood risk reduction, hydroelectric power generation, recreation, and water supply. With a normal storage capacity of 261,000 acre-feet and a maximum discharge of 35,000 cubic feet per second, Indian Valley plays a crucial role in managing water resources in the region.
The dam spans a length of 965 feet and has a surface area of 3,750 acres, impounding the North Fork Cache Creek. With a hazard potential rated as high and a very high risk assessment, the dam is regulated by the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission and inspected by the same agency. The spillway, with a controlled design and a width of 59 feet, ensures safety during times of high water levels. In addition to its structural importance, Indian Valley provides a scenic backdrop for outdoor enthusiasts, offering opportunities for fishing, boating, and wildlife observation.
Indian Valley is a symbol of resilience and sustainability in water resource management, showcasing the intricate balance between human needs and environmental conservation. As a cornerstone of the local ecosystem, this earth dam stands as a testament to the principles of responsible water infrastructure development. With ongoing state regulation, inspection, and enforcement, Indian Valley continues to play a vital role in ensuring the safety and prosperity of the surrounding communities while preserving the natural beauty of the landscape.
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 Valley -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Nf Cache C Nr Clearlake Oaks Ca | 233 cfs | → |
| Nf Cache C A Hough Spring Nr Clearlake Oaks Ca | 31 cfs | → |
| Cache C Nr Lower Lake Ca | 435 cfs | → |
| Bear C Ab Holsten Chimney Cyn Nr Rumsey Ca | 20 cfs | → |
| Kelsey C Nr Kelseyville Ca | 11 cfs | → |
| Putah C Nr Guenoc Ca | 30 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Indian Valley .
Boat launches
- Walker Ridge Road Lake County
- Island Drive Lake County
- Ball Park Avenue 14775, Clearlake
- Lake County
- Lucerne Harbor Park
- 3rd Street 20, Lakeport
Campgrounds
Fishing spots
Track Indian Valley 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 Valley
Where does the data for Indian Valley 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 Valley .