Kangaroo Lake dam
Kangaroo Lake
Kangaroo Lake in Siskiyou, California, is a picturesque reservoir with a primary purpose of irrigation. Managed by the USDA Forest Service, this rockfill dam was completed in 1876 and stands at a height of 12 feet, with a storage capacity of 168 acre-feet. The lake is fed by Rail Creek and offers recreational opportunities in addition to its irrigation function.
Despite its age, Kangaroo Lake has a low hazard potential and has not been rated for its current condition. The spillway is controlled and measures 8 feet in width, with outlet gates consisting of a slide (sluice gate). The last inspection took place in May 2014, with a scheduled inspection frequency of every 10 years. The risk assessment for the dam is very high, with a DSAC assigned date yet to be determined.
The surrounding area of Kangaroo Lake is a haven for water resource and climate enthusiasts, offering a serene escape for those interested in exploring the intersection of nature and infrastructure. With its historical significance and continued relevance in irrigation practices, Kangaroo Lake serves as a captivating destination for those looking to appreciate the delicate balance between human intervention and natural ecosystems.
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 Kangaroo Lake -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Trinity R Ab Coffee C Nr Trinity Ctr Ca | 209 cfs | → |
| Shasta R Nr Montague Ca | 63 cfs | → |
| Scott R Nr Fort Jones Ca | 211 cfs | → |
| Sacramento R A Delta Ca | 639 cfs | → |
| Shasta R Nr Yreka Ca | 80 cfs | → |
| Klamath R Bl Iron Gate Dam Ca | 1,450 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Kangaroo Lake.
⚓ Boat launches
- National Forest Development Road 41n08 Siskiyou County
- Castle Lake Trail #4w02 Siskiyou County
- Lake Siskiyou Trail - Delta Segment Siskiyou County
- Siskiyou County
- Mountain Wood Drive 15182, Siskiyou County
- Driftwood Lane Siskiyou County
⛺ Campgrounds
- Kangaroo Lake Campground
- Kangaroo Lake
- Chilcoot Creek
- Scott Mountain
- Scott Mountain Campground
- Deadfall Lake
🎣 Fishing spots
More fishing →🛶 Paddle runs
- Headwaters In Russian Wilderness To Wilderness Boundary
- Wilderness Boundary To Forest Road 40n54
- Scott District Boundary To Confluence With Sixmile Creek
- Headwaters In Marble Mountains Wilderness To Pre-1984 Wilderness Boundary
- Confluence With Sixmile Creek To Confluence With South Fork Salmon River
- Confluence Of Tributaries In Sec 6 Near Black Mtn. To Confluence With Blind Horse Creek
🛡 More reservoirs
More reservoirs →Track Kangaroo Lake 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 Kangaroo Lake
Where does the data for Kangaroo Lake 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 Kangaroo Lake.