Eldorado Canyon Dam dam
Eldorado Canyon Dam
Eldorado Canyon Dam, located in Lyon, Nevada, serves as a vital infrastructure for irrigation and water supply in the region. The dam, primarily constructed for agricultural purposes, stands at a height of 60 feet with a hydraulic height of 55 feet, utilizing earth and stone as core types and foundations. With a storage capacity of 570 acre-feet and a normal storage of 230 acre-feet, the dam plays a crucial role in water management for Eldorado Canyon Creek, covering a surface area of 25 acres and serving a drainage area of 53 square miles.
Despite its importance, Eldorado Canyon Dam is marked by high hazard potential and poor condition assessment, underscoring the need for regular inspections and maintenance. The dam features an uncontrolled spillway with a width of 50 feet and a single slide (sluice gate) outlet gate. However, the risk assessment for the dam is moderate, rated at 3, prompting the implementation of risk management measures to ensure the safety and stability of the structure. With the last inspection conducted in June 2021 and a frequency of one inspection per year, the dam's regulatory oversight falls under the purview of the Nevada Division of Water Resources.
As water resource and climate enthusiasts, the state of Eldorado Canyon Dam offers a compelling case study on the intersection of infrastructure, water management, and environmental stewardship. By understanding the complexities and challenges faced by this essential water system, stakeholders can work towards sustainable solutions that balance the needs of agriculture, the community, and the natural environment. As we navigate the impacts of climate change and increasing water demands, the story of Eldorado Canyon Dam serves as a reminder of the critical role that these structures play in shaping our water future and the importance of proactive risk management to ensure their long-term resilience.
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 Eldorado Canyon Dam -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Carson River At Dayton | 697 cfs | → |
| Carson River At Deer Run Road Near Carson City | 613 cfs | → |
| Eagle Valley Creek At Carson City | 5 cfs | → |
| Carson River Near Carson City | 570 cfs | → |
| Ash Canyon Ck Nr Carson City | 3 cfs | → |
| Kings Canyon Creek Near Carson City | 1 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Eldorado Canyon Dam.
Boat launches
- Golf Course Outer Trail Carson City
- Washoe County
- Lakeshore Boulevard , 89452 Nevada
- Lockwood Road Washoe County
- Cave Rock Boat Launch Douglas County
- Churchill County
Campgrounds
- Dayton State Park
- Washoe Lake State Rec Area
- Davis Creek
- Fort Churchill State Park
- Marlette Peak Campground
- Mount Rose
Fishing spots
Paddle runs
- Headwaters To Trailhead
- Tahoe City To River Ranch
- Headwaters In Sec 7, T11n, R18e To Blair Bridge
- Headwaters Se 1/4 Of Sec 10, T18, R15e To Stampede Reservoir
- Centerville Flat To Hangman's Bridge
- Headwaters To South Of Upper Truckee Road (Sec Line Between 17/20 Intercepts River And Unnamed Tributary)
Track Eldorado Canyon 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 Eldorado Canyon Dam
Where does the data for Eldorado Canyon 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 Eldorado Canyon Dam.