Wilson Reservoir Dam dam
Wilson Reservoir Dam
Wilson Reservoir Dam, located in Elko, Nevada, was completed in 1954 and serves primarily for irrigation purposes, with a normal storage capacity of 8,000 acre-feet. The earth dam stands at 37 feet high and spans a length of 1,390 feet, impounding the waters of the Bull Run Creek-OS. Despite being privately owned, the dam is regulated and inspected by the Nevada Department of Water Resources, ensuring compliance with state standards and enforcement measures.
With a low hazard potential and fair condition assessment, Wilson Reservoir Dam poses a moderate risk (3) and is equipped with an uncontrolled spillway with a width of 50 feet. The dam has two slide gates for outlet control and a maximum discharge capacity of 4,800 cubic feet per second. Although no associated structures are present, the dam's location within the Sacramento District of the US Army Corps of Engineers highlights its strategic importance in water resource management for the region.
Enthusiasts of water resources and climate will appreciate Wilson Reservoir Dam's role in providing water for irrigation, fire protection, stock, and recreation. As a key infrastructure in Elko, Nevada, the dam's operational history, storage capacity, and regulatory oversight by the Nevada DWR underscore its significance in sustaining local water supplies and managing the risk of potential hazards.
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 Wilson Reservoir Dam -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Owyhee R Nr Mountain City | 120 cfs | → |
| Owyhee R Nr Gold Creek | 111 cfs | → |
| Bruneau River At Rowland Nv | 21 cfs | → |
| Ef Owyhee River At Crutcher Crossing | 36 cfs | → |
| Jarbidge River Below Jarbidge | 15 cfs | → |
| Boulder Creek Near Dunphy | · | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Wilson Reservoir Dam.
Track Wilson Reservoir Dam 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 Wilson Reservoir Dam
Where does the data for Wilson Reservoir Dam 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 Low 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 Wilson Reservoir Dam.