Wishon Forebay dam
Wishon Forebay
Wishon Forebay, also known as Corrine Lake, is a privately-owned reservoir located in Friant, California. Built in 1896, this hydroelectric facility serves multiple purposes including hydroelectric power generation and recreation. The earth dam stands at a height of 15 feet and has a spillway width of 62 feet, with a maximum storage capacity of 69 acre-feet and a surface area of 7 acres. The reservoir is situated on the North Fork Willow Creek, part of the Sacramento District, and is regulated by the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission.
The dam at Wishon Forebay has a low hazard potential and a moderate risk assessment rating. While the condition assessment is not available, the dam is inspected regularly by both state and federal agencies, with the last inspection taking place in September 2017. Emergency action plans are in place, with the most recent update in October 2020, to ensure the safety and security of the surrounding area in case of a dam failure. With its historical significance and important role in water resource management and energy production, Wishon Forebay is a site of interest for water resource and climate enthusiasts alike.
Overall, Wishon Forebay is a vital component of California's water infrastructure, providing both renewable energy and recreational opportunities for the surrounding community. With its long-standing history and regulated status, the reservoir continues to play a significant role in water management and environmental conservation efforts in the region. For those interested in water resources and climate issues, Wishon Forebay offers a fascinating glimpse into the intersection of hydroelectric power generation, dam safety, and recreational use within the state of California.
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 Wishon Forebay -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Nf Willow C Nr Sugar Pine Ca | 416 cfs | → |
| San Joaquin R Bl Friant Ca | 520 cfs | → |
| Big C Div Nr Fish Camp Ca | 0 cfs | → |
| Merced R A Pohono Bridge Nr Yosemite Ca | 2,000 cfs | → |
| Mf San Joaquin R Nr Mammoth Lakes Ca | 579 cfs | → |
| Merced R A Happy Isles Bridge Nr Yosemite Ca | 1,610 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Wishon Forebay .
Boat launches
- Redinger Boating Site
- San Joaquin River Trail, Friant
- Mammoth Pool Rd, California
- Huntington Boat Ramp & Launching Site
- Madera County
- Sunnyslope Road 30796, Sanger
Campgrounds
Fishing spots
Paddle runs
- Confluence With North Fork San Joaquin River To Hells Half Acre
- Blarney Meadows To South End Of Florence Lake
- Cora Creek To Confluence With San Joaquin River
- Rainbow Falls To Confluence With North Fork San Joaquin River
- Hot Springs Area To West End Of Blarney River
- Hemlock Crossing To Confluence With Cora Creek
Track Wishon Forebay 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 Wishon Forebay
Where does the data for Wishon Forebay 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 Wishon Forebay .