Fancher Creek Detention dam
Fancher Creek Detention
Located in Fresno, California, Fancher Creek Detention is a vital public utility structure designed for flood risk reduction along the Fancher Creek river. Completed in 2006, this earth dam stands at a height of 16 feet with a hydraulic height of 11 feet, providing a storage capacity of 1,891 acre-feet and covering a surface area of 206 acres. With a drainage area of 60.4 square miles, the dam plays a crucial role in mitigating potential flooding risks in the region.
Managed and regulated by the California Department of Water Resources (DWR) under the Safety of Dams program, Fancher Creek Detention is subject to state permitting, inspection, and enforcement to ensure its structural integrity and operational efficiency. Despite its high hazard potential, the dam has been assessed to be in satisfactory condition as of September 2017, with regular inspections conducted to uphold safety standards. In case of emergencies, detailed emergency action plans are prepared and updated as needed to safeguard the surrounding communities and infrastructure.
Representing a key component of flood management infrastructure in the area, Fancher Creek Detention underscores the importance of water resource management and climate resilience efforts. Its strategic location and operational effectiveness contribute to protecting against potential flood events and enhancing the overall safety and security of Fresno and its surrounding areas. As a critical public utility structure, Fancher Creek Detention stands as a testament to the proactive measures taken to address water-related challenges and ensure sustainable resource management in the face of changing climate conditions.
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 Fancher Creek Detention -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| San Joaquin R Bl Friant Ca | 314 cfs | → |
| San Joaquin R Nr Mendota Ca | 149 cfs | → |
| Nf Willow C Nr Sugar Pine Ca | 416 cfs | → |
| Big C Div Nr Fish Camp Ca | 0 cfs | → |
| Marble Fork Kaweah R Ab Horse C Nr Lodgepole Ca | 3 cfs | → |
| Cantua C Nr Cantua Creek Ca | · | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Fancher Creek Detention.
Boat launches
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Campgrounds
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Fishing spots
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River runs
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About Fancher Creek Detention
Where does the data for Fancher Creek Detention 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.