Saddlebag Lake dam
Saddlebag Lake
Saddlebag Lake, located in Lee Vining, California, is a stunning reservoir with a primary purpose of hydroelectric power generation. Built in 1921 by the Southern Sierras Power Co., this rockfill dam stands at a height of 45 feet and spans a length of 600 feet. With a storage capacity of 18,100 acre-feet, Saddlebag Lake provides not only essential electricity but also serves as a recreational spot for outdoor enthusiasts.
Managed by the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission, Saddlebag Lake is subject to state regulatory oversight by the Department of Water Resources and the Safety of Dams division. The dam's spillway, with a width of 54 feet, is classified as uncontrolled, posing a high hazard potential. Despite this, the risk assessment for Saddlebag Lake is categorized as moderate (3), indicating a level of risk management in place to address potential hazards.
With its breathtaking location amidst the Sierra Nevada mountains and its vital role in both energy production and recreation, Saddlebag Lake is a captivating destination for water resource and climate enthusiasts. Its history, engineering design, and regulatory oversight make it a fascinating case study in the intersection of human infrastructure and natural beauty in the face of climate challenges.
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 Saddlebag Lake -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Robinson C At Twin Lks Outlet Nr Bridgeport | 124 cfs | → |
| Green Creek Near Bridgeport | 60 cfs | → |
| Buckeye C Nr Bridgeport | 192 cfs | → |
| Tuolumne R A Grand Cyn Of Tuolumne Ab Hetch Hetchy | 2,670 cfs | → |
| Merced R A Happy Isles Bridge Nr Yosemite Ca | 1,730 cfs | → |
| Deadman C A Big Springs Nr Crestview Ca | 37 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Saddlebag Lake .
Boat launches
Campgrounds
- Saddlebag Lake Trailhead Group Campground
- Saddlebag Lake Campground
- Saddlebag Lake
- Sawmill Walk-In Campground
- Junction Campground
- Junction
Fishing spots
Track Saddlebag 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 Saddlebag Lake
Where does the data for Saddlebag 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 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 Saddlebag Lake .