Tiger Creek Forebay dam
Tiger Creek Forebay
Tiger Creek Forebay is a privately owned hydroelectric facility located in Pioneer, California. The dam, primarily constructed out of earth, stands at 33 feet high and spans 900 feet in length, with a maximum storage capacity of 42 acre-feet and a surface area of 2.3 acres. Situated on Tiger Creek, the forebay is regulated by the California Department of Water Resources and inspected by the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission to ensure its safety and compliance with state regulations.
With a low hazard potential and moderate risk assessment rating, Tiger Creek Forebay plays a crucial role in generating hydroelectric power while mitigating potential risks to the surrounding community. The uncontrolled spillway, with a width of 16 feet, is designed to handle a maximum discharge of 675 cubic feet per second, providing an additional layer of safety in case of emergencies. Despite the lack of recent condition assessment data, the facility has an emergency action plan in place and is regularly inspected to uphold its operational integrity and environmental impact.
For water resource and climate enthusiasts, Tiger Creek Forebay offers a fascinating glimpse into the intersection of energy production and environmental stewardship. As a key player in California's renewable energy landscape, this hydroelectric facility showcases the importance of sustainable infrastructure development and regulatory oversight in safeguarding water resources and addressing climate challenges. With its strategic location in Amador County and innovative design features, Tiger Creek Forebay exemplifies the potential for responsible water management in a changing climate landscape.
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 Tiger Creek Forebay -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Deer C Nr Cameron Park Ca | 8 cfs | → |
| Cosumnes R A Michigan Bar Ca | 329 cfs | → |
| Pilot C Ab Stumpy Meadows Res Ca | 3 cfs | → |
| Pilot C Bl Mutton Canyon Nr Georgetown Ca | 2 cfs | → |
| Upper Truckee R At S Upper Truckee Rd Nr Meyers Ca | 4 cfs | → |
| Black C Nr Copperopolis Ca | 1 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Tiger Creek Forebay .
Boat launches
- Sly Park Road, Pollock Pines
- Amador County
- Forebay Road El Dorado County
- Poho Ridge El Dorado County
- Junction Boat Ramp Road El Dorado County
- Rock Creek Road El Dorado County
Campgrounds
- Sly Guard Cabin
- Pipi Campground
- Pipi
- Indian Grinding Rock State Park
- Indian Grinding Rock Campground
- Frontier Adventure
Fishing spots
- Lake Tabeaud
- Lower Bear River Reservoir
- Bear River Reservoir
- Salt Springs Reservoir
- Highland Creek
- Pardee Reservoir
Paddle runs
- North Fork Mokelumne River
- Two Miles West Of Pipi Campground To Confluence With Dogtown Creek
- One Mile East Of Pipi Campground To Two Miles West Of Pipi Campground
- Boundary Of Mokelumne Archeological Special Interest Area To Confluence With North Fork Mokelumne
- Mokelumne River
Track Tiger Creek 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 Tiger Creek Forebay
Where does the data for Tiger Creek 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 Tiger Creek Forebay .