Engineer dam
Engineer
Engineer, also known as Dam #34, is a Federal-owned structure located in Jolon, California. Built in 1964 by the US Army, this earth dam stands 20 feet tall and spans 600 feet along the Sulfur Spring Creek. Its primary purpose is for fire protection, stock, or small fish pond, with additional purposes including fish and wildlife pond and recreation. With a storage capacity of 50 acre-feet, Engineer serves as a vital resource for water management in the region.
Despite its importance, Engineer poses a high hazard potential due to its condition assessment being listed as "Not Available." The dam's spillway type is uncontrolled, with a spillway width of 20 feet. It has a maximum discharge capacity of 741 cubic feet per second. The last inspection of Engineer was conducted in April 2019, with a recommended inspection frequency of every 4 years. While the risk assessment is moderate, there is a need for further evaluation and risk management measures to ensure the safety and functionality of this critical water infrastructure.
For water resource and climate enthusiasts, Engineer presents a fascinating case study in dam engineering and management. Its location in Monterey County, California, under the jurisdiction of the US Army, highlights the intersection of environmental conservation, water supply, and infrastructure development. As discussions around climate change and water security continue to evolve, understanding the role of structures like Engineer in mitigating risks and supporting sustainable water practices is essential for ensuring the resilience of our water resources in the face of a changing climate.
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 Engineer -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| San Antonio R Nr Lockwood Ca | · | → |
| Nacimiento R Bl Sapaque C Nr Bryson Ca | 2 cfs | → |
| Arroyo Seco Nr Soledad Ca | 24 cfs | → |
| San Lorenzo C Bl Bitterwater C Nr King City Ca | 0 cfs | → |
| Salinas R Nr Bradley Ca | 367 cfs | → |
| Arroyo Seco Bl Reliz C Nr Soledad Ca | · | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Engineer.
Boat launches
- New Pleyto Road, Bradley
- Lynch Road, Bradley
- West Knoll Circle 10555, San Luis Obispo County
- Boat Launch San Luis Obispo County
- Well Road San Luis Obispo County
- Mistletoe Lane San Luis Obispo County
Campgrounds
- Fort Hunter Liggett Primitive Military
- Nacimiento
- Nacimiento Campground
- Bane Spring Camp
- Basket Spring Camp
- Miguel Campground
Fishing spots
- Lake San Antonio
- Lake Nacimiento
- Nacimiento Lake
- Barney Schwartz Park Lake
- Whale Rock Reservoir
- Franklin Hot Springs
Paddle runs
- Ventana Wilderness Boundary To Nf Boundary
- Headwaters To Sportsman's Club
- 0.25 Milesupstram Of The Impoundment At Sportsman's Lodge To 0.25 Miles Downstream Of The Impoundment At Sportsman's Lodge
- 0.25 Miles Downstream Of The Impoundment Of Sportsman's Lodge To Ventana Wilderness Boundary
- San Benito River
- Headwaters North Fork Little Sur To Boy Scout Camp
More reservoirs
Track Engineer 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 Engineer
Where does the data for Engineer 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 Engineer.