Lower Sardine Lake dam
Lower Sardine Lake
Lower Sardine Lake, located in Sierra City, California, is a state-regulated water supply reservoir completed in 1965 with a primary purpose of providing water for various uses. The dam, standing at a height of 17 feet with a hydraulic height of 9 feet, holds a storage capacity of 280 acre-feet and covers a surface area of 38 acres. The reservoir is fed by Sardine Creek and serves as a critical resource for both recreation and water supply in the region.
With its low hazard potential and satisfactory condition assessment, Lower Sardine Lake offers a safe and reliable water source for the surrounding community. The dam is under the jurisdiction of the California Department of Water Resources and is subject to regular inspections, permitting, and enforcement to ensure its structural integrity and operational effectiveness. Despite its modest size, the reservoir plays a significant role in managing water resources and supporting the ecological balance of the area.
For water resource and climate enthusiasts, Lower Sardine Lake presents a fascinating case study of sustainable water management in California. As a vital piece of infrastructure in the region, the reservoir exemplifies the careful balance between water supply needs, recreational opportunities, and environmental stewardship. Its role in providing essential services while maintaining a low-risk profile underscores the importance of responsible dam construction and operation in mitigating the impacts of climate change on water resources.
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 Lower Sardine Lake -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Little Truckee R Bl Div Dam Nr Sierraville Ca | 3 cfs | → |
| N Yuba R Bl Goodyears Bar Ca | 459 cfs | → |
| Independence C Nr Truckee Ca | 15 cfs | → |
| Sagehen C Nr Truckee Ca | 9 cfs | → |
| Spanish C A Quincy Ca | 54 cfs | → |
| Donner C A Donner Lk Nr Truckee Ca | 8 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Lower Sardine Lake.
Boat launches
- Sardine Lake Road 990, Sierra City
- Salmon Lake Road 1500, Sierra City
- Salmon Lake -Boat Ramp Boating Site
- Henness Pass Road, Sierraville
- Woodcamp Access Road Nevada County
- Meadow Lake Road Nevada County
Campgrounds
Fishing spots
Paddle runs
- Gold Lake Dam To Falls
- Little Jamison Creek Headwaters To State Park
- Falls To Gold Lake Highway
- Gold Lake Highway To Nf Boundary
- Headwaters To State Park
- Headwaters Of East Fork Canyon Creek (Sec 13, T21n, R10e) To Confluence With South Fork Canyon Creek
More reservoirs
Track Lower Sardine Lake 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 Lower Sardine Lake
Where does the data for Lower Sardine Lake 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 Lower Sardine Lake.