Kelsey dam
Kelsey
Kelsey Reservoir, located in Dry Creek, California, is a privately owned water supply reservoir completed in 1929 with a capacity of 1000 acre-feet. Managed by the Natural Resources Conservation Service, this earth dam stands at a height of 28 feet and serves purposes of irrigation and water supply for the surrounding area. The reservoir covers a surface area of 116 acres and is regulated by the California Department of Water Resources, ensuring its safety and compliance with state standards.
With a significant hazard potential but currently assessed as satisfactory, Kelsey Reservoir poses a vital resource for the local community while also requiring regular inspections and maintenance. The reservoir is situated in Merced County, within the jurisdiction of the state, and has a history of state permitting, inspection, and enforcement. The primary purpose of the dam is to provide a reliable water source, showcasing its importance in the region's water management infrastructure.
As a key component of the water supply system in the area, Kelsey Reservoir plays a crucial role in supporting agricultural irrigation and local water needs. Its location along the Tr S Fork Dry Creek, under the oversight of the Safety of Dams program, highlights the importance of maintaining and ensuring the integrity of this essential water resource. For water resource and climate enthusiasts, Kelsey Reservoir represents a significant piece of California's water management puzzle, demonstrating the balance between water supply, regulation, and infrastructure maintenance in the face of changing climatic 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 Kelsey -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Turlock Cn Nr La Grange Ca | 1,280 cfs | → |
| Tuolumne R Bl Lagrange Dam Nr Lagrange Ca | 157 cfs | → |
| Modesto Cn Nr La Grange Ca | 1,220 cfs | → |
| Big C Ab Whites Gulch Nr Groveland Ca | 0 cfs | → |
| Tuolumne R Bl Early Intake Nr Mather Ca | 143 cfs | → |
| Cherry C Bl Dion R Holm Ph | 77 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Kelsey.
Boat launches
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Campgrounds
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Fishing spots
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River runs
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About Kelsey
Where does the data for Kelsey 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 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.