Herring Creek Reservoir dam
Herring Creek Reservoir
Herring Creek Reservoir, located in Tuolumne County, California, is a captivating destination for water resource and climate enthusiasts. Built in 1939 by the USDA Forest Service, this concrete dam stands at 16 feet high and spans 68 feet in length, providing a storage capacity of 120 acre-feet for its primary purpose as a Fish and Wildlife Pond. The reservoir is nestled along Herring Creek, offering a serene setting for recreational activities and wildlife observation.
Managed by the Forest Service, Herring Creek Reservoir boasts a significant hazard potential with a moderate risk assessment. While the dam's condition is currently not rated, it undergoes inspections every five years to ensure its structural integrity and safety. Despite being uncontrolled, the spillway serves as a vital component of the reservoir's operations, allowing for the controlled release of water in times of excess storage.
As a hub for environmental conservation and outdoor enjoyment, Herring Creek Reservoir is a prime example of sustainable water management in California. Its historical significance, coupled with its role in supporting fish and wildlife habitats, makes it a must-visit site for those passionate about water resources and climate resilience.
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 Herring Creek Reservoir -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Lk Eleanor Div To Cherry Lake Nr Hetch Hetchy Ca | 1 cfs | → |
| Cherry C Bl Valley Dam Nr Hetch Hetchy Ca | 144 cfs | → |
| Eleanor C Nr Hetch Hetchy Ca | 440 cfs | → |
| Tuolumne R Nr Hetch Hetchy Ca | 1,570 cfs | → |
| Cherry C Nr Early Intake Ca | 581 cfs | → |
| Cherry C Bl Dion R Holm Ph | 1,720 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Herring Creek Reservoir.
Boat launches
Campgrounds
- Herring Reservoir
- Herring Creek Reservoir Campground
- Herring Reservoir Campground
- Herring Creek
- Herring Creek Campground
- Cascade Creek
Fishing spots
Paddle runs
- Bell Creek Headwaters To One-Tenth Mile Upstream Of Crabtree Trailhead
- State Highway 108 To Donnell Reservoir
- One-Tenth Mile Upstream Of Crabtree Trailhead To 0.15 Mile Downstream Of Road 4n26b
- Confluence With Clark Fork To Donnell Reservoir
- 0.15 Mile Downstream From Road 4n26b To Confluence With Lilly Creek
- Lilly Creek (Source At Chewing Gum Lake And Y Meadow Lake) To One-Tenth Mile Downstream Of Coffin Hollow
Track Herring Creek Reservoir 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 Herring Creek Reservoir
Where does the data for Herring Creek Reservoir 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 Herring Creek Reservoir.