Kualapuu Reservoir dam
Kualapuu Reservoir
Kualapuu Reservoir, also known as Molokai Reservoir, is a state-owned water resource located in Hawaii. Built in 1969, this earth dam stands at a height of 57 feet and has a storage capacity of 5082 acre-feet, primarily used for irrigation purposes in the area. Situated in the city of Hoolehua Palaau Homestead, this reservoir is regulated by the Department of Land and Natural Resources (DLNR) and undergoes regular inspections to ensure its structural integrity.
With a surface area of 95 acres and a drainage area of 0.21 square miles, Kualapuu Reservoir plays a crucial role in supporting agricultural activities in the region. The spillway of this reservoir is uncontrolled with a width of 10 feet, and it has a maximum discharge capacity of 700 cubic feet per second. Despite being classified as having a high hazard potential, the dam is currently assessed to be in fair condition, with a moderate risk level of 3. Emergency action plans are in place, and the last inspection in May 2019 deemed the structure to be safe and operational.
Climate enthusiasts and water resource specialists alike can appreciate the significance of Kualapuu Reservoir in providing sustainable water supply for irrigation and agricultural activities in Maui, Hawaii. The reservoir's strategic location and efficient design contribute to the efficient management of water resources in the region, highlighting the importance of infrastructure like dams and reservoirs in supporting local economies and ecosystems. As climate change continues to impact water availability, the role of structures like Kualapuu Reservoir becomes increasingly vital in ensuring water security for communities and ecosystems in the area.
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 Kualapuu Reservoir -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Kaunakakai Gulch At Altitude 75 Feet | · | → |
| Halawa Stream Near Halawa | 15 cfs | → |
| Honokohau Stream Near Honokohau | 28 cfs | → |
| Kahakuloa Stream Near Honokohau | 17 cfs | → |
| Waihee River At Dam Near Waihee | 55 cfs | → |
| Iao Stream At Kepaniwai Park Nr Wailuku | 87 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Kualapuu Reservoir.
Paddle runs
- Boundary Of Kalaupapa National Historical Park To Mouth At Pacific Ocean
- Begins Where Pipes First Meet The River And Main Diversion Begins To Mouth At Pacific Ocean
- Headwaters In The Mountain Bogs Between Pepeopae And Pu’U Ali’I Just Above An Elevation Of 4,000 Feet On The Interfluve That Separates Waikolu And Pelekunu Valleys To Ends Where Pipes First Meet The River And Main Diversion Begins
- Headwaters And Includes All Tributaries To Confluence With Pelekunu Stream
- Headwaters And Includes All Tributaries To Confluence With Kapuhi Stream
Track Kualapuu Reservoir 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 Kualapuu Reservoir
Where does the data for Kualapuu Reservoir 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 Kualapuu Reservoir.