Washoe Lake Dam dam
Washoe Lake Dam
Located in Pleasant Valley, Washoe Lake Dam is a private structure regulating the flow of Steamboat Creek in Washoe County, Nevada. Built primarily for irrigation purposes, this masonry dam stands at a height of 12 feet with a hydraulic height of 7 feet and a length of 30 feet. The dam's storage capacity reaches up to 400 acre-feet, serving as a vital water resource for the surrounding area.
Despite its importance, Washoe Lake Dam is categorized as having a high hazard potential with a poor condition assessment. The last inspection in August 2021 revealed the need for improvements to ensure the dam's safety and stability. With a moderate risk rating, there is a pressing need for risk management measures to be implemented to address potential hazards and enhance overall dam safety.
As water resource and climate enthusiasts monitor the state of Washoe Lake Dam, it is clear that ongoing maintenance and risk assessment are crucial to safeguarding the surrounding area from potential flooding and other dangers. With its critical role in irrigation and recreation, the dam's condition and safety must be prioritized to ensure the continued protection of the community and environment it serves.
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 Washoe Lake Dam -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Galena C At Galena C State Park | 18 cfs | → |
| Steamboat C At Steamboat | 15 cfs | → |
| Incline Ck Abv Tyrol Village Nr Incline Village Nv | 7 cfs | → |
| Franktown C Nr Carson City | 2 cfs | → |
| Incline Ck Nr Crystal Bay | 9 cfs | → |
| Third Ck Nr Crystal Bay | 9 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Washoe Lake Dam.
Boat launches
- Washoe County
- Lakeshore Boulevard , 89452 Nevada
- Golf Course Outer Trail Carson City
- Lockwood Road Washoe County
- Prosser Lake Reservoir
- Capt Roberts Boating Site
Campgrounds
- Davis Creek
- Mount Rose
- Mt. Rose Campground
- Washoe Lake State Rec Area
- Marlette Peak Campground
- Dayton State Park
Fishing spots
Track Washoe Lake 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 Washoe Lake Dam
Where does the data for Washoe Lake 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 Washoe Lake Dam.