Richard L. Schafer Dam dam
Richard L. Schafer Dam
Richard L. Schafer Dam, also known as Success Lake, is a federal dam located in Porterville, California, along the Tule River. Built in 1961 by the US Army Corps of Engineers, the dam serves multiple purposes including flood risk reduction, hydroelectric power generation, irrigation, and recreation. Standing at a height of 98 feet with a capacity of 230,000 acre-feet, the dam plays a crucial role in managing water resources in the region.
Despite its historical performance in reducing flood risks to downstream communities, Richard L. Schafer Dam still poses some concerns related to extreme events like heavy rainfall and earthquakes. The dam has a high hazard potential, and in rare scenarios, could lead to devastating flooding in Porterville and adjacent agricultural areas. To mitigate these risks, the US Army Corps of Engineers implements various measures such as regular inspections, emergency action plans, and coordination with local authorities to ensure the safety of the public.
USACE's ongoing monitoring and risk management efforts at Richard L. Schafer Dam demonstrate a proactive approach to safeguarding communities and infrastructure from potential water-related hazards. By working collaboratively with stakeholders and employing advanced technologies, the dam continues to play a vital role in water resource management and climate resilience in the region.
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 Richard L. Schafer Dam -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Sf Tule R Nr Reservation Bndry Nr Porterville Ca | 11 cfs | → |
| Deer C Nr Fountain Springs Ca | 7 cfs | → |
| Sf Tule R Nr Cholollo Campground Nr Porterville Ca | 9 cfs | → |
| Marble Fork Kaweah R Ab Horse C Nr Lodgepole Ca | 3 cfs | → |
| Sf Kern R Nr Onyx Ca | 23 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Richard L. Schafer Dam.
Boat launches
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Campgrounds
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Fishing spots
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River runs
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More reservoirs
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About Richard L. Schafer Dam
Where does the data for Richard L. Schafer 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 below 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.
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.