Lightning W Ranch Dams dam
Lightning W Ranch Dams
Lightning W Ranch Dams, also known as Flying W Ranch, are privately owned structures located in Washoe County, Nevada. These dams are situated along Musgrove Creek and serve multiple purposes, including irrigation and recreation. The primary dam type is earth, with a height of 12 feet and a hydraulic height of 7 feet. The dams have a normal storage capacity of 2 acre-feet and cover a surface area of 0.5 acres.
Despite their recreational value, the dams pose a significant hazard potential and have been assessed as poor in condition. The last inspection in August 2021 revealed the need for improvement, with a recommendation for frequent monitoring and maintenance. In case of emergencies, a slide (sluice gate) outlet gate is available for water release.
Given the moderate risk assessment and the dams' location in a populated area, it is crucial for the private owners and state regulatory agency, Nevada DWR, to work together to ensure the safety and integrity of Lightning W Ranch Dams. Regular inspections, maintenance, and emergency preparedness measures are essential to mitigate the risks associated with these structures and protect both the local community and the environment.
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 Lightning W Ranch Dams -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Franktown C Nr Carson City | 3 cfs | → |
| Ash Canyon Ck Nr Carson City | 3 cfs | → |
| Incline Ck Abv Tyrol Village Nr Incline Village Nv | 7 cfs | → |
| Kings Canyon Creek Near Carson City | 1 cfs | → |
| Incline Ck Nr Crystal Bay | 10 cfs | → |
| Third Ck Nr Crystal Bay | 25 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Lightning W Ranch Dams.
Boat launches
- Washoe County
- Lakeshore Boulevard , 89452 Nevada
- Golf Course Outer Trail Carson City
- Cave Rock Boat Launch Douglas County
- Prosser Lake Reservoir
- Lockwood Road Washoe County
Campgrounds
- Washoe Lake State Rec Area
- Marlette Peak Campground
- Davis Creek
- Mt. Rose Campground
- Mount Rose
- Dayton State Park
Fishing spots
Track Lightning W Ranch Dams 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 Lightning W Ranch Dams
Where does the data for Lightning W Ranch Dams 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 Lightning W Ranch Dams.