Hickory Basin dam
Hickory Basin
Hickory Basin in Ontario, California, is a local government-owned dam situated along the W Fontana Channel. Completed in 2001, this earth-type dam stands at a height of 19 feet and boasts a maximum storage capacity of 220 acre-feet. Its primary purpose is flood risk reduction, although it also serves for hydroelectric and other purposes. The dam covers a surface area of 15 acres and spans a length of 4600 feet, making it a significant structure in the region.
Managed by the California Department of Water Resources (DWR) under the Safety of Dams program, Hickory Basin is subject to state regulations, permitting, inspection, and enforcement. Despite being deemed to have a significant hazard potential, the dam's condition assessment in September 2017 rated it as satisfactory. Regular inspections ensure the safety and functionality of the structure, with the last inspection conducted in December 2019, highlighting its commitment to maintaining public safety and flood risk management in the region.
With its strategic location and vital role in flood risk reduction, Hickory Basin stands as a key infrastructure in San Bernardino County, California. Its effective management by local government authorities and adherence to state regulations ensure its continued operation for the benefit of the community. Enthusiasts of water resources and climate management will find Hickory Basin to be a fascinating example of infrastructure designed to mitigate flood risks and support various water-related purposes in the region.
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 Hickory Basin -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Fontana Water Co Spill Ch From Afterbay Nr Fontana | 24 cfs | → |
| Fontana Uwc Surface Div Weir 2 Nr Fontana Ca | 22 cfs | → |
| Fontana Ph Forebay Spillway Nr Fontana Ca | 5 cfs | → |
| Fontana Uwc Surface Div Nr Fontana Ca | 26 cfs | → |
| Lytle C Nr Fontana Ca | 49 cfs | → |
| Cucamonga C Nr Mira Loma Ca | 19 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Hickory Basin.
Boat launches
Campgrounds
Fishing spots
- Cucamonga-Guasti Regional Park Lake
- Glen Helen Lakes
- Lake Evans
- Mt Baldy Trout Pools
- Prado Regional Park, El Lake
- Secombe Lake
Paddle runs
- Middle Fork - Commanche Campsite To Middle Fork Trailhead
- Laurel Gulch To Confluence With Mineo Canyon (Se 1/4, Sw 1/4, Sec 17, T2n, R8w)
- East Fork - Confluence Of Vincent Gulch And Prairie Fork (Nw 1/4, Sw 1/4 Sec 16 ) To Laurel Gulch (Nw 1/4, Sw 1/4, Sec 17, T2n, R8w)
- North Fork - Confluence Of Soldier And Coldbrook Creeks (Se1/4,Sw1/4, Sec) 5, T2n,,R9w To Conflluence With West Fork Of San Gabriel (Sw 1/4,Sw1/4, Sec 17, T2n, R8w)
- Below 2w01 Crossing To Mojave Reservoir
- Below Deep Creek Lake To Below 2w01 Crossing
Track Hickory Basin 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 Hickory Basin
Where does the data for Hickory Basin 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 Significant 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 Hickory Basin.