Prosser Creek dam
Prosser Creek
Prosser Creek, located in Nevada County, California, is a vital water resource managed by the Bureau of Reclamation for water supply purposes. The Prosser Creek dam, completed in 1962, stands at a height of 133 feet and has a storage capacity of over 41,000 acre-feet. With a surface area of 980 acres and a drainage area of 50 square miles, the dam plays a crucial role in regulating water flow and ensuring a stable water supply for the region.
This earth dam, with a structural height of 163 feet, has a spillway width of 15 feet and is classified as having a high hazard potential. Despite its age, the dam has undergone hydraulic and structural modifications in 2005 to ensure its continued safe operation. While the condition assessment is not available, the dam is inspected regularly, with the last inspection conducted in August 2020. Prosser Creek's risk assessment is considered moderate, with risk management measures in place to mitigate potential hazards and ensure the safety of the surrounding communities.
Prosser Creek serves as a testament to the careful management and oversight of water resources in California, highlighting the importance of infrastructure maintenance and risk management in ensuring a sustainable water supply in the face of changing climate conditions. As a key component of the region's water supply infrastructure, Prosser Creek plays a crucial role in supporting agriculture, urban areas, and environmental needs, making it a valuable asset for water resource and climate enthusiasts alike.
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 Prosser Creek -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Prosser C Bl Prosser C Dam Nr Truckee Ca | 71 cfs | → |
| Truckee R Bl Martis C Nr Truckee Ca | 667 cfs | → |
| Little Truckee R Bl Boca Dam Nr Truckee Ca | 400 cfs | → |
| Truckee R A Boca Bridge Nr Truckee Ca | 1,160 cfs | → |
| Little Truckee R Ab Boca Res Nr Truckee Ca | 526 cfs | → |
| Donner C At Hwy 89 Nr Truckee Ca | 88 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Prosser Creek.
Boat launches
- Prosser Lake Reservoir
- Capt Roberts Boating Site
- Lakeshore Boulevard , 89452 Nevada
- Washoe County
- Henness Pass Road, Sierraville
- Meadow Lake Road Nevada County
Campgrounds
- Prosser Ranch Group Campground
- Prosser
- Prosser Family Campground
- Boca
- Donner Campground
- Prosser Campground
Fishing spots
Paddle runs
- Headwaters Se 1/4 Of Sec 10, T18, R15e To Stampede Reservoir
- Headwaters To Trailhead
- Royal Gorge (Soda Springs To Tadpole Creek)
- Tahoe City To River Ranch
- Generation And Giant Gaps (Tadpole To Colfax-Iowa Hill Road)
- Hell Hole Dam To Ellicotts Bridge
More reservoirs
Track Prosser Creek 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 Prosser Creek
Where does the data for Prosser Creek 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 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 Prosser Creek.