Cave Creek Dam dam
Cave Creek Dam
Cave Creek Dam, located in Ely, Nevada, is a state-owned structure with a primary purpose of recreation. Built in 1932 by F W Millard & Son, this Earth-type dam stands at a height of 83 feet, with a hydraulic height of 78 feet and a length of 360 feet. The dam's reservoir has a normal storage capacity of 700 acre-feet, providing opportunities for irrigation and recreational activities.
Despite its historical significance and recreational value, Cave Creek Dam is classified as having a high hazard potential and is currently assessed as being in poor condition. The dam has undergone multiple modifications over the years, including structural upgrades in 1961, 1972, and 1973. With a maximum discharge capacity of 1100 cubic feet per second and an uncontrolled spillway, the dam remains a critical component of water resource management in White Pine County.
As water resource and climate enthusiasts continue to monitor the state-regulated Cave Creek Dam, attention is being drawn to its risk assessment, emergency action plan, and overall management measures. With a moderate risk rating of 3, stakeholders are working to ensure the safety and structural integrity of this important water infrastructure. As the dam plays a vital role in providing water storage and recreational opportunities, ongoing inspections and maintenance efforts are crucial for its long-term sustainability and resilience 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 Cave Creek Dam -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Steptoe C Nr Ely | 3 cfs | → |
| Cleve C Nr Ely | 6 cfs | → |
| Water Canyon Cr Nr Preston Nv | 1 cfs | → |
| Preston Big Spring Nr Preston Nv | 9 cfs | → |
| Lehman Creek Near Baker | 3 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Cave Creek Dam.
Campgrounds
- Cave Lake State Park
- Ely Elk Viewing Area - Recreation Site
- Cleve Creek Campground
- Cleve Creek
- Cleve Creek Recreation Area
- Berry Creek
Paddle runs
- Headwaters To Mt Moriah Wilderness Boundary
- Wilderness Boundary To Trailhead/Roads End
- Headwaters, Includes N Fork And Main Fork To T20n,R66e, Sec 17
- Headwaters To Eastern Boundary Of Great Basin National Park
- Trailhead To Humboldt-Toiyabe National Forest Boundary
- T15n,R58e,Sec 7 To T15n,R57e,Sec 20
Track Cave Creek 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 Cave Creek Dam
Where does the data for Cave Creek 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 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 Cave Creek Dam.