Phoenix Lake dam
Phoenix Lake
Phoenix Lake, located in Marin County, California, is a vital water resource managed by a public utility. The dam, completed in 1907, stands at 90 feet high and has a storage capacity of 612 acre-feet. The primary purpose of the dam is water supply, serving the surrounding area through Ross Creek.
With a high hazard potential, Phoenix Lake is under the regulatory oversight of the California Department of Water Resources, Safety of Dams division. Regular inspections ensure the dam's structural integrity, with the most recent assessment in September 2017 deeming its condition satisfactory. The dam's emergency action plan is up-to-date, reflecting the commitment to maintaining safety and preparedness in the face of potential risks.
Enthusiasts of water resources and climate will find Phoenix Lake to be a fascinating example of a century-old earth dam supporting crucial water supply infrastructure in California. Its history, design, and ongoing management showcase the importance of effective regulation and maintenance to ensure the continued resilience of our water resources in the face of changing climate conditions.
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 Phoenix Lake -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Corte Madera C A Ross Ca | 4 cfs | → |
| Redwood C A Hwy 1 Bridge A Muir Beach Ca | 2 cfs | → |
| Lagunitas C A Sp Taylor State Pk Ca | 15 cfs | → |
| Novato C A Novato Ca | 0 cfs | → |
| Olema C A Vedanta Bridge A Olema Ca | 3 cfs | → |
| Lagunitas C Nr Pt Reyes Station Ca | 18 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Phoenix Lake.
⚓ Boat launches
- Steven Way 98, Marin County
- Marin Rod And Gun Club Pier 2675, San Rafael
- Turney Street Boat Ramp
- Calypso Shores 23, Marin County
- Sears Point Road 100-138, Novato
- Northpoint Drive 1235, San Francisco
⛺ Campgrounds
- Marin Park Rv
- Bootjack Campground
- Pantoll Campground
- Rocky Point - Steep Ravine Campground
- Steep Ravine
- China Camp State Park
🎣 Fishing spots
- Lake Lagunitas
- Berkeley Yacht Harbor
- San Pablo Reservoir
- Lake Temescal
- 9th Street Boat Ramp
- City Of Benicia Fishing Pier
🛶 Paddle runs
- Headwaters To Mouth
- Headwaters To Ends One Quarter Mile South Of Bear Valley Road Bridge Segment 1: Ends 1/4 Mile South Of Bear Valley Road Bridge Segment 2: Caltrans Corporation Yard At Point Reyes Staton.
- Olema Ranch Campground To Caltrans Corporation Yard At Point Reyes Station
Track Phoenix 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 Phoenix Lake
Where does the data for Phoenix 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 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 Phoenix Lake.