Wise Forebay dam
Wise Forebay
Wise Forebay, located in Auburn, California, is a privately owned dam primarily used for hydroelectric purposes. Built in 1913, this earth dam stands at a height of 20 feet with a hydraulic height of 16 feet, providing a maximum storage capacity of 32 acre-feet. With a surface area of 4.4 acres and a spillway width of 130 feet, the dam has a high hazard potential and is regulated by the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission.
Despite its age, Wise Forebay has a moderate risk assessment of 3 out of 5, indicating a need for ongoing monitoring and maintenance. The dam's last inspection in May 2021 revealed that its condition assessment was not available, highlighting the importance of regular assessments to ensure the safety and reliability of the structure. While there is no state regulation or permitting for this dam, the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission oversees its operations, inspections, and emergency response protocols.
In the event of an emergency, it is crucial that Wise Forebay has an updated Emergency Action Plan (EAP) and designated emergency contacts. While there are no inundation maps prepared or risk management measures outlined, ensuring that the dam meets guidelines and regularly reviewing and updating its EAP will be essential in mitigating potential risks and safeguarding the surrounding community and environment.
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 Wise Forebay -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Nf American R A North Fork Dam Ca | 773 cfs | → |
| Dry C A Vernon St Bridge A Roseville Ca | 159 cfs | → |
| Bear R Nr Wheatland Ca | 328 cfs | → |
| Deer C Nr Cameron Park Ca | 8 cfs | → |
| American R A Fair Oaks Ca | 3,550 cfs | → |
| Deer C Nr Smartville Ca | 59 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Wise Forebay .
Boat launches
- Rattlesnake Road Placer County
- River Trail El Dorado County
- Oak Hill Road 7935, Pilot Hill
- Oaks Nature Trail El Dorado County
- Park Road, Granite Bay
- Green Valley Road 661, El Dorado Hills
Campgrounds
- Peninsula - Folsom Lake State Rec Area
- Rucky A Chucky - Auburn State Rec Area
- Mother Lode River Center
- Folsom Lake Peninsula Campground
- Georgetown Airport Campground
- Bear River County Park
Fishing spots
- Pg&E Rock Creek Lake Fishing Access
- Lake Clementine
- Lake Combie
- Lake Of The Pines
- Folsom Lake
- Camp Far West Reservoir
Paddle runs
- Greenwood To Mammoth Bar
- The Gorge
- Coloma To Greenwood - (C To G)
- Yankee Jim Road To Ponderosa Way (Shirttail)
- Chamberlain Falls (Iowa Hill To Yankee Jim)
- South Fork American River
More reservoirs
Track Wise Forebay 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 Wise Forebay
Where does the data for Wise Forebay 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 Wise Forebay .