Isabella Dam dam
Isabella Dam
Isabella Dam, also known as Isabella Lake, is a critical piece of infrastructure in California's Kern County, serving multiple purposes including flood risk reduction, hydroelectric power generation, irrigation, and recreation. Completed in 1953 by the US Army Corps of Engineers, the earth dam stands at 98 feet high and stretches 1695 feet long, with a storage capacity of 568,000 acre-feet and a maximum storage of 1,202,000 acre-feet. However, a risk assessment conducted in 2005 highlighted concerns about the dam's ability to withstand certain scenarios, leading to its classification as high risk.
To address these concerns, ongoing construction efforts are underway to raise both the main and auxiliary dams, enlarge the spillway, reinforce the structure, and improve the filter and drainage systems. The US Army Corps of Engineers actively manages the risk associated with the project through regular maintenance, emergency action plans, and collaboration with local emergency managers. The dam's emergency plan includes 24/7 staff availability, regular inspections, and monitoring of weather forecasts to make informed decisions on dam operations. Despite the high-risk nature of the project, measures are in place to minimize the potential impact on downstream communities in the event of an emergency.
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 Isabella Dam -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Sf Kern R Nr Onyx Ca | 121 cfs | → |
| Deer C Nr Fountain Springs Ca | 19 cfs | → |
| Sf Tule R Nr Cholollo Campground Nr Porterville Ca | 20 cfs | → |
| Sf Tule R Nr Reservation Bndry Nr Porterville Ca | 34 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Isabella Dam.
Boat launches
- Daedrich Ranch Road, Wofford Heights
- Highway 178 10716-10726, Lake Isabella
- Kern County
- Kern Canyon Road Bodfish
- Sandy Flat Put-In/Take-Out Boating Site
Campgrounds
- Main Dam
- Pioneer Point
- Pioneer Point Campground
- French Gulch Group Campground
- Keyesville Rec Site
- Auxiliary Dam Campground
Fishing spots
- South Fork Kern River
- Lake Isabella
- Isabella Lake
- Hanning Flat Dispersed Area
- Cedar Creek
- Dry Meadow Creek
Paddle runs
- Isabella Lake Dam To 7 Miles Downstream
- Sandy Flat Camp To Democrat Picnic Area
- 7 Miles From Isabella Dam To 20.2 Miles From Isabella Dam
- Southern Boundary Of Wsr To Nf Boundary
- 20.2 Miles Downstream Of Isabella Dam To Western Nf Boundary
- Table Meadow Creek To Kern River
Track Isabella Dam 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 Isabella Dam
Where does the data for Isabella Dam 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 Isabella Dam.