Lower Bucks Lake dam
Lower Bucks Lake
Lower Bucks Lake, also known as Bucks Diversion, is a private hydroelectric facility located in Plumas County, California. Completed in 1928, this concrete dam stands at an impressive height of 99 feet, with a hydraulic height of 89 feet and a structural height of 96 feet. The dam stretches 495 feet in length and has a maximum storage capacity of 5843 acre-feet, making it a vital water resource for the region.
With its primary purpose being hydroelectric power generation, Lower Bucks Lake also serves recreational and water supply needs. The reservoir covers a surface area of 136 acres and has a drainage area of 31.2 square miles. The dam's spillway, with a width of 200 feet, is uncontrolled, and its high hazard potential necessitates regular inspections by the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission to ensure safety and compliance with regulations.
Surrounded by the picturesque Brush Creek and offering a multitude of water-based activities, Lower Bucks Lake is not only a key player in California's water infrastructure but also a popular destination for outdoor enthusiasts. Its historical significance, combined with its modern-day functionality, makes it a valuable asset in the region's water resource and climate management efforts.
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 Bucks Lake -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Spanish C A Quincy Ca | 58 cfs | → |
| Spanish C Ab Blackhawk C At Keddie Ca | 118 cfs | → |
| Butte C Nr Chico Ca | 320 cfs | → |
| N Yuba R Bl Goodyears Bar Ca | 631 cfs | → |
| Deer C Nr Vina Ca | 249 cfs | → |
| Mill C Nr Los Molinos Ca | 298 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Lower Bucks Lake .
Boat launches
- Plumas County
- Oroville-Quincy Road 17000-17046, Meadow Valley
- Peninsula Road, Strawberry Valley
- Volcanic Legacy Scenic Byway, California
- Butte County
Campgrounds
- Lower Bucks
- Lower Bucks Campground
- Sundew
- Hutchins Group Campground
- Sundew Campground
- Bucks Lake Recreation Area
Fishing spots
Paddle runs
- Headwaters To Bucks Lake
- Caribou Reservoir To Beldon
- Nf Boundary To Confluence With North Fork Feather River
- Silver Lake To Meadow Valley
- Confluence Of Spanish Creek And Indian Creek To Confluence With North Fork Feather River
- Rock Creek Dam To Cresta Reservoir
More reservoirs
Track Lower Bucks 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 Bucks Lake
Where does the data for Lower Bucks 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 Lower Bucks Lake .