Round Valley dam
Round Valley
Round Valley, also known as Snag Lake, is a privately owned dam located in Stirling City, California. Managed by the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission, this earth dam was completed in 1877 for hydroelectric purposes along the West Branch Feather River. Standing at a height of 29.4 feet and with a storage capacity of 1200 acre-feet, Round Valley serves as a vital water resource in Butte County.
With a high hazard potential and a moderate risk assessment rating, Round Valley requires regular inspections by state agencies to ensure its structural integrity and safety. While its condition assessment is currently not available, the dam's emergency action plan was last revised in December 2020. Despite its age, Round Valley continues to play a crucial role in water management and hydroelectric power generation in the region, highlighting the intersection of water resources and climate considerations in dam infrastructure.
As a key component of California's water infrastructure, Round Valley serves as a reminder of the importance of effective dam management and maintenance in the face of changing climate patterns. Its location in a high-risk area underscores the need for continued monitoring and risk management measures to safeguard both the dam and surrounding communities from potential hazards. With its rich history and ongoing significance in water resource management, Round Valley exemplifies the intricate relationship between water resources, climate resilience, and infrastructure maintenance.
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 Round Valley -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Deer C Nr Vina Ca | 230 cfs | → |
| Spanish C Ab Blackhawk C At Keddie Ca | 105 cfs | → |
| Butte C Nr Chico Ca | 324 cfs | → |
| Spanish C A Quincy Ca | 52 cfs | → |
| Mill C Nr Los Molinos Ca | 267 cfs | → |
| Sacramento R Ab Bend Bridge Nr Red Bluff Ca | 10,200 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Round Valley .
Boat launches
- Plumas County
- Oroville-Quincy Road 17000-17046, Meadow Valley
- Volcanic Legacy Scenic Byway, California
Campgrounds
- Cherry Hill
- Cherry Hill Campground
- Philbrook - Feather River
- West Branch
- Butte Meadows
- Butte Meadows Campground
Fishing spots
Track Round Valley 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 Round Valley
Where does the data for Round Valley 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 Round Valley .