Marble Bluff Dam dam
Marble Bluff Dam
Marble Bluff Dam, located in Washoe County, Nevada, is a Federal-owned structure designed by the USDI BOR with a primary purpose of serving as a Fish and Wildlife Pond. Completed in 1975, this Earth-type dam stands at a height of 51 feet and has a hydraulic height of 11 feet, with a structural height of 52 feet. The dam, situated on the Truckee River, has a length of 1622 feet and a storage capacity of 35 acre-feet, providing essential water resources for the surrounding area.
With a low hazard potential and a satisfactory condition assessment as of January 2015, Marble Bluff Dam plays a crucial role in managing water resources and supporting fish and wildlife habitats in the region. The dam features an uncontrolled spillway with a width of 150 feet and an outlet gate in the form of a Tainter (radial) gate. Despite its moderate risk assessment, the dam has not undergone significant modifications in recent years and is well-maintained to ensure its functionality and safety for the community.
As climate change impacts water resources and ecosystems, Marble Bluff Dam stands as a vital infrastructure for water management and conservation efforts in the area. With its strategic location on the Truckee River and its role in supporting fish and wildlife populations, the dam serves as a valuable resource for water and climate enthusiasts interested in sustainable water management practices and ecological preservation.
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 Marble Bluff Dam -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Truckee R Nr Nixon | 698 cfs | → |
| Truckee R At Wadsworth | 676 cfs | → |
| Truckee Ca Nr Wadsworth | 389 cfs | → |
| Truckee R Bl Derby Dam Nr Wadsworth | 702 cfs | → |
| Truckee River Nr Tracy | 1,290 cfs | → |
| N Truckee Drain At Spanish Springs Rd Nr Sparks Nv | 1 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Marble Bluff Dam.
Boat launches
Fishing spots
Track Marble Bluff 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 Marble Bluff Dam
Where does the data for Marble Bluff 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 Marble Bluff Dam.