Wishon Main dam
Wishon Main
Wishon Main is a privately owned hydroelectric dam located in Wishon Village, California, along the North Fork Kings River. Completed in 1958, this rockfill dam stands at a height of 260 feet and has a storage capacity of 133,600 acre-feet, with a normal storage level of 129,118 acre-feet. The dam's primary purpose is hydroelectric power generation, with a maximum discharge capacity of 52,200 cubic feet per second.
Managed by the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission, Wishon Main has a controlled spillway with a width of 330 feet and is equipped with six Tainter (radial) outlet gates. With a high hazard potential and a very high risk assessment rating, the dam is under state regulation and inspection to ensure its safety and compliance with dam safety guidelines. Despite its risk assessment, the condition assessment of Wishon Main is currently listed as "Not Available," indicating a need for further evaluation and monitoring of the dam's structural integrity.
Located in Fresno County, California, Wishon Main plays a crucial role in water resource management and energy production in the region. As a key component of the hydroelectric infrastructure, this dam serves as a vital resource for the surrounding community and contributes to the sustainable development of the local area. With its impressive height and storage capacity, Wishon Main stands as a testament to human ingenuity in harnessing the power of water for the benefit of society while also highlighting the importance of continuous monitoring and maintenance to ensure the safety and reliability of such critical infrastructure.
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 Main -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Marble Fork Kaweah R Ab Horse C Nr Lodgepole Ca | 54 cfs | → |
| San Joaquin R Bl Friant Ca | 387 cfs | → |
| Nf Willow C Nr Sugar Pine Ca | 416 cfs | → |
| Mf San Joaquin R Nr Mammoth Lakes Ca | 278 cfs | → |
| Hot C A Flume Nr Mammoth Lakes Ca | 64 cfs | → |
| Big C Div Nr Fish Camp Ca | 0 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Wishon Main .
Boat launches
- Hume Lake Boat Launch (East Dam)
- Sandy Cove Road Fresno County
- Florence Lake Campground
- Florence Lake Boating Site
- Huntington Boat Ramp & Launching Site
- Sunnyslope Road 30796, Sanger
Campgrounds
Fishing spots
Paddle runs
- Outlet Of Martha Lake (Boundary Extend 0.25 Mile On Each Side Of River) To Northwestern Boundary Of Kings Canyon National Park
- Northwest Boundary Of Nf/Kings Canyon Np To Hot Springs Area
- Blarney Meadows To South End Of Florence Lake
- Hot Springs Area To West End Of Blarney River
- Headwaters To Inlet At South Lake
- Dam Outlet At South Lake To Habeggers Rv Park
Track Wishon Main 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 Main
Where does the data for Wishon Main 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 Wishon Main .