Fallen Leaf Lake Dam dam
Fallen Leaf Lake Dam
Fallen Leaf Lake Dam, located in El Dorado County, California, is a concrete dam with a height of 12 feet and a length of 265 feet. Built in 1934 by the Forest Service, this dam serves primarily for recreational purposes but also contributes to fish and wildlife management and flood risk reduction. The dam has a maximum storage capacity of 6,800 acre-feet and a normal storage capacity of 1,408 acre-feet, making it a significant structure in the region.
With a controlled spillway and vertical lift outlet gates, Fallen Leaf Lake Dam is designed to manage water flow effectively and safely. The dam's hazard potential is rated as significant, and it has a very high risk assessment level. Despite being constructed in the early 20th century, the dam has been modified in 1994 to ensure its structural integrity and safety. The last inspection of the dam was conducted in 2015, with its condition currently listed as "Not Rated."
Managed by the Forest Service, Fallen Leaf Lake Dam stands as a crucial infrastructure for water resource management in the area. Its strategic location on Taylor Creek and its key role in flood risk reduction highlight its importance in sustaining the local ecosystem and providing recreational opportunities for visitors. As climate change continues to impact water resources, the maintenance and monitoring of dams like Fallen Leaf Lake Dam become increasingly vital for ensuring the safety and sustainability of our water systems.
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 Fallen Leaf Lake Dam -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Up Truckee R A South Lake Tahoe Ca | 96 cfs | → |
| Upper Truckee R At Hwy 50 Above Meyers Ca | 90 cfs | → |
| Trout C Nr Tahoe Valley Ca | 48 cfs | → |
| Upper Truckee R At S Upper Truckee Rd Nr Meyers Ca | 4 cfs | → |
| Edgewood Ck At Stateline | 2 cfs | → |
| Eagle Rock Ck Nr Stateline | 1 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Fallen Leaf Lake Dam.
Boat launches
- Cave Rock Boat Launch Douglas County
- Ice House Road El Dorado County
- Amador County
- Dry Lakes Trail El Dorado County
- Indian Creek Camp Ground Day Use Area
- Summit Lake Trail Alpine County
Campgrounds
- Fallen Leaf
- Fallen Leaf Campground
- Camp Shelley
- Camp Richardson
- Camp Richardson Complex
- Tahoe Valley Campground
Fishing spots
Paddle runs
- 1/4 Mile North Of State Highway 50 To Avalanche Lake
- Headwaters In Sec 7, T11n, R18e To Blair Bridge
- State Highway 50 To 1/4 Mile North Of State Highway 50
- Headwaters To South Of Upper Truckee Road (Sec Line Between 17/20 Intercepts River And Unnamed Tributary)
- Headwaters In Sec 15,T10n, R17e To Confluence With Silver Fork Of American River
- Headwaters In Sec 2, T9n, R18e To Confluence With Mokelumne River
Track Fallen Leaf Lake 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 Fallen Leaf Lake Dam
Where does the data for Fallen Leaf Lake 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 Significant 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 Fallen Leaf Lake Dam.