Rainbow Diversion dam
Rainbow Diversion
Rainbow Diversion, located on Stoney Creek in Colusa, California, is a federal water infrastructure project managed by the Bureau of Reclamation. Completed in 1913, this concrete dam stands at 54 feet tall and stretches 271 feet in length, with a primary purpose of irrigation. With a storage capacity of 100 acre-feet, Rainbow Diversion serves as a crucial component of the region's water management system.
This low-hazard dam features an uncontrolled spillway with a width of 160 feet and has a moderate risk assessment rating. Despite its age, the condition assessment of Rainbow Diversion is currently marked as "Not Available," underscoring the need for regular inspection and maintenance. The emergency action plan for the dam is also listed as not prepared, emphasizing the importance of ensuring the safety and security of this vital water resource in the face of potential climate-related challenges.
As a key structure in the Bureau of Reclamation's portfolio, Rainbow Diversion plays a significant role in supporting agricultural irrigation in the region. With its historical significance and ongoing operational importance, this dam represents a critical piece of California's water infrastructure, highlighting the intersection of water resource management and climate resilience in the state.
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 Rainbow Diversion -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Nf Cache C A Hough Spring Nr Clearlake Oaks Ca | 31 cfs | → |
| Nf Cache C Nr Clearlake Oaks Ca | 114 cfs | → |
| Ef Russian R Nr Calpella Ca | 39 cfs | → |
| Cache C Nr Lower Lake Ca | 698 cfs | → |
| Bear C Ab Holsten Chimney Cyn Nr Rumsey Ca | 20 cfs | → |
| Kelsey C Nr Kelseyville Ca | 15 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Rainbow Diversion.
Boat launches
- Walker Ridge Road Lake County
- Lucerne Harbor Park
- Island Drive Lake County
- Lake County
- 3rd Street 20, Lakeport
- Ball Park Avenue 14775, Clearlake
Campgrounds
Fishing spots
Track Rainbow Diversion 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 Rainbow Diversion
Where does the data for Rainbow Diversion 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 Rainbow Diversion.