Reservoir A dam
Reservoir A
Located in Placer County, California, Reservoir A is a vital water supply structure managed by a public utility. This earth dam stands at a height of 93 feet, with a hydraulic height of 88 feet, and a length of 516 feet. Completed in 1973, it has a storage capacity of 180 acre-feet and serves the primary purpose of water supply for the surrounding area.
Maintained by the California Department of Water Resources (DWR), Reservoir A is subject to regular inspections, with its condition assessed as satisfactory as of September 2017. Despite being classified as having a high hazard potential, the reservoir's emergency action plan (EAP) was last revised in January 2021, reflecting a commitment to ensuring the safety and security of the dam and its surrounding communities in the event of an emergency. With a drainage area of 0.93 square miles and a proximity of 7.5 miles to Truckee, this reservoir plays a crucial role in water management in the region.
With a focus on water supply and the regulation of dams, Reservoir A in California's Truckee region stands as a testament to effective infrastructure management in the face of climate change challenges. Its location on the West Martis Creek and its capacity to store 180 acre-feet of water make it a crucial resource for the surrounding communities. As climate change continues to impact water resources, the maintenance and upkeep of structures like Reservoir A are essential to ensuring a secure and sustainable water supply for the future.
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 Reservoir A -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Truckee R Nr Truckee Ca | 576 cfs | → |
| Truckee R Bl Martis C Nr Truckee Ca | 735 cfs | → |
| Truckee R A Tahoe City Ca | 352 cfs | → |
| Donner C At Hwy 89 Nr Truckee Ca | 101 cfs | → |
| Prosser C Bl Prosser C Dam Nr Truckee Ca | 71 cfs | → |
| Donner C A Donner Lk Nr Truckee Ca | 10 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Reservoir A.
Boat launches
- Prosser Lake Reservoir
- Lakeshore Boulevard , 89452 Nevada
- Capt Roberts Boating Site
- Washoe County
- Cave Rock Boat Launch Douglas County
- Mosquito Ridge Rd, California
Campgrounds
Fishing spots
Paddle runs
- Tahoe City To River Ranch
- Royal Gorge (Soda Springs To Tadpole Creek)
- Headwaters To Trailhead
- Headwaters Se 1/4 Of Sec 10, T18, R15e To Stampede Reservoir
- Hell Hole Dam To Ellicotts Bridge
- Generation And Giant Gaps (Tadpole To Colfax-Iowa Hill Road)
More reservoirs
Track Reservoir A 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 Reservoir A
Where does the data for Reservoir A 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 Reservoir A.