Scout Lake dam
Scout Lake
Scout Lake, also known as Lake Winawa, is a privately owned water resource located in Mendocino County, California. Managed by the California Department of Water Resources (DWR) under the Safety of Dams program, this picturesque reservoir serves as a crucial water supply source for the city of Willits. Built in 1964, the earth dam stands at a height of 63 feet, with a hydraulic height of 58 feet, offering a storage capacity of 1140 acre-feet. With a surface area of 70 acres and a drainage area of 0.92 square miles, Scout Lake provides not only water supply but also recreational opportunities.
Despite its high hazard potential, Scout Lake's dam is reported to be in satisfactory condition, last assessed in September 2017. Regular inspections are conducted, with the most recent one taking place in April 2020, ensuring the safety and integrity of the structure. The emergency action plan (EAP) for the reservoir was last revised in December 2020, indicating that necessary measures are in place to address potential risks and emergencies. With its beautiful surroundings and essential role in water supply, Scout Lake stands as a testament to responsible dam management and the importance of safeguarding our valuable water resources in the face of changing climate conditions.
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 Scout Lake -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Outlet C Nr Willits Ca | 4 cfs | → |
| Willits C Ab Lk Emily Nr Willits Ca | 0 cfs | → |
| Ef Russian R Nr Calpella Ca | 39 cfs | → |
| Russian R Nr Ukiah Ca | 0 cfs | → |
| Ef Russian R Nr Ukiah Ca | 156 cfs | → |
| Big R Blw Two Log Cr Nr Comptche Ca | 3 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Scout Lake.
Boat launches
Campgrounds
- Creekside Cabins
- Sleepy Hollow Rv Park
- Trout Creek Campgounds
- Forks Camp Ground
- Deer Camp Group Campground
- Pine Mountain Lookout
Fishing spots
- Cameron's Fishing Hole Catch & Release
- Lake Mendocino
- Lake Pillsbury
- Clear Lake (Lake Cty)
- East Park Reservoir
- Buckeye Creek
Paddle runs
More reservoirs
Track Scout 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 Scout Lake
Where does the data for Scout 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 Scout Lake.