Pauwela Reservoir dam
Pauwela Reservoir
Pauwela Reservoir in Haiku, Maui, Hawaii, stands as a vital water resource for irrigation purposes since its completion in 1904. With a capacity of 142 acre-feet and a normal storage of 98 acre-feet, this earth dam structure on Liikoi Gulch spans 270 feet in length and 47 feet in height. Despite its historical significance, the dam's condition assessment in 2021 reported a poor state, with a high hazard potential, prompting concerns for its structural integrity and the safety of surrounding communities.
The reservoir's spillway, with a width of 14 feet, is uncontrolled, posing a potential risk during peak discharge events. The dam's inspection frequency is set at every 5 years, with the last assessment conducted in December 2018. Furthermore, the risk assessment categorizes Pauwela Reservoir as having a moderate risk level (3), indicating the need for proactive risk management measures to safeguard against potential failures and mitigate any adverse impacts on the environment and local infrastructure.
Given the critical role of Pauwela Reservoir in supporting agricultural activities in the region, stakeholders, including the state regulatory agency DLNR, must prioritize necessary maintenance and rehabilitation efforts to enhance the dam's resilience and ensure its long-term functionality. As climate change continues to impact water resources and weather patterns, the sustainable management of Pauwela Reservoir is essential to safeguarding water availability for irrigation and mitigating risks associated with potential dam failures or emergencies.
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 Pauwela Reservoir -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Honopou Stream Near Huelo | 5 cfs | → |
| Opana Tunnel Near Kailiili | 2 cfs | → |
| Waikamoi Str Ab Res At Kula Pl Intake Nr Olinda | 1 cfs | → |
| West Wailuaiki Stream Near Keanae | 47 cfs | → |
| Iao Stream At Kepaniwai Park Nr Wailuku | 87 cfs | → |
| Waihee River At Dam Near Waihee | 55 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Pauwela Reservoir.
Campgrounds
- Kanaha Beach Park - Maui
- Hosmer Grove
- Hosmer Grove - Haleakala National Park - Maui
- Holua Dispersed - Haleakala National Park - Maui
- Hōlua Campground
- Hōlua Campsites
Track Pauwela 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 Pauwela Reservoir
Where does the data for Pauwela 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 Pauwela Reservoir.