Hendricks Head dam
Hendricks Head
Hendricks Head is a privately-owned hydroelectric dam located in Stirling City, California, along the West Branch Feather River. Built in 1907, this rockfill dam stands at 15 feet tall and has a length of 222.3 feet, with a storage capacity of 130 acre-feet. Managed by the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission, the dam serves the primary purpose of generating hydroelectric power.
Despite being classified as having a low hazard potential, Hendricks Head underwent its last inspection in July 2019, with an inspection frequency of every two years. With a moderate risk assessment rating of 3, the dam has no available condition assessment data and does not meet emergency action plan guidelines. While the dam's spillway type is uncontrolled, it has a spillway width of 102 feet.
For water resource and climate enthusiasts, Hendricks Head presents an intriguing case study in dam management and maintenance. As a historic structure with a significant role in hydroelectric power generation, the dam's risk assessment and maintenance practices offer valuable insights into balancing environmental impact and energy production goals. Stay tuned for updates on Hendricks Head's risk management measures and future regulatory developments.
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 Hendricks Head -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Butte C Nr Chico Ca | 295 cfs | → |
| Deer C Nr Vina Ca | 232 cfs | → |
| Mill C Nr Los Molinos Ca | 272 cfs | → |
| Spanish C Ab Blackhawk C At Keddie Ca | 107 cfs | → |
| Spanish C A Quincy Ca | 53 cfs | → |
| Sacramento R Ab Bend Bridge Nr Red Bluff Ca | 9,780 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Hendricks Head .
Boat launches
- Plumas County
- Oroville-Quincy Road 17000-17046, Meadow Valley
- Potters Ravine, Oroville
- Butte County
- Bidwell Canyon Trail, Oroville
Campgrounds
- Forks Of Butte Creek
- West Branch
- Philbrook - Feather River
- Butte Meadows
- Butte Meadows Campground
- Cherry Hill Campground
Fishing spots
Track Hendricks Head 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 Hendricks Head
Where does the data for Hendricks Head 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 Low 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 Hendricks Head .