Chicago Park Forebay dam
Chicago Park Forebay
Chicago Park Forebay, located in Nevada County, California, is a vital water resource infrastructure managed by a public utility. Constructed in 1966 by Ebasco Services, Inc., this earth dam serves multiple purposes including irrigation, hydroelectric power generation, and water supply. With a dam height of 60 feet and a maximum storage capacity of 103 acre-feet, the forebay plays a crucial role in water management in the region.
The dam's spillway, with a width of 427 feet, is designed as uncontrolled, and the hazard potential is classified as low. Despite its age, the structure has a moderate risk assessment rating and is under the regulatory oversight of the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission. The forebay's primary function of irrigation highlights its importance in supporting agricultural activities in the area. With regular inspections and emergency preparedness measures in place, Chicago Park Forebay stands as a key component of the regional water infrastructure.
Overall, Chicago Park Forebay is a significant water management facility that contributes to the sustainable use of water resources in California. As a multipurpose structure with a history of reliable operation, it serves as a critical asset for irrigation, hydroelectric power generation, and water supply. The low hazard potential and moderate risk assessment underscore the importance of ongoing maintenance and regulatory oversight to ensure the continued functionality and safety of this essential infrastructure.
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 Chicago Park Forebay -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Nf American R A North Fork Dam Ca | 389 cfs | → |
| Deer C Nr Smartville Ca | 34 cfs | → |
| Pilot C Bl Mutton Canyon Nr Georgetown Ca | 2 cfs | → |
| N Yuba R Bl Goodyears Bar Ca | 421 cfs | → |
| Pilot C Ab Stumpy Meadows Res Ca | 3 cfs | → |
| Bear R Nr Wheatland Ca | 40 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Chicago Park Forebay .
Boat launches
- Iowa Hill Road Placer County
- Oxbow Raft Put-In Site
- Lake Spaulding Road 10260, Nevada City
- Fuller Lake Boating Site
- Mosquito Ridge Rd, California
- River Trail El Dorado County
Campgrounds
Fishing spots
Paddle runs
- Chamberlain Falls (Iowa Hill To Yankee Jim)
- Yankee Jim Road To Ponderosa Way (Shirttail)
- One-Half Mile West Of Confluence With Fall Creek To Confluence With Jefferson Creek
- Tunnel Run (Ralston Powerhouse To Greenwood)
- Langs Crossing Bridge To One-Half Mile West Of Confluence With Fall Creek (Boundary Of Nf And Private Land)
- Greenwood To Mammoth Bar
Track Chicago Park Forebay 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 Chicago Park Forebay
Where does the data for Chicago Park Forebay 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 Chicago Park Forebay .