Murphys Forebay West dam
Murphys Forebay West
Murphys Forebay West, located in Calaveras, California, is a key water resource managed by a public utility. This hydroelectric facility on Angels Creek was completed in 1953 and serves multiple purposes, with a primary focus on hydroelectric power generation. The dam stands at a height of 67 feet, with a hydraulic height of 65 feet, and a length of 316 feet, providing a storage capacity of 60 acre-feet.
Managed by the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission, Murphys Forebay West is subject to state regulation and inspection, ensuring its safety and compliance with standards. The dam has a high hazard potential, prompting regular inspections and risk assessments. Despite its moderate risk rating, the facility's emergency action plan and risk management measures are not readily available, highlighting the need for proactive monitoring and preparedness.
With its strategic location and importance in water resource management, Murphys Forebay West plays a crucial role in the region's hydroelectric infrastructure. As climate change impacts water resources, it is essential for enthusiasts and stakeholders to stay informed about the condition and management of such vital facilities to ensure their long-term sustainability and resilience in the face of evolving environmental challenges.
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 Murphys Forebay West -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Black C Nr Copperopolis Ca | 1 cfs | → |
| Big C Ab Whites Gulch Nr Groveland Ca | 1 cfs | → |
| Cherry C Bl Valley Dam Nr Hetch Hetchy Ca | 7 cfs | → |
| Cherry C Bl Dion R Holm Ph | 1,310 cfs | → |
| Cherry C Nr Early Intake Ca | 205 cfs | → |
| Tuolumne R Bl Early Intake Nr Mather Ca | 1,820 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Murphys Forebay West .
Boat launches
- Glory Hole Road 6503, Angels Camp
- Forest Route 1n10 Tuolumne County
- Merals Pool Put-In
- Forest Route 1n04, Groveland
Campgrounds
- Columbia Airport Campground
- Frogtown Rv Park
- Calaveras Big Trees State Park
- Gloryhole Rec Area- Ironhorse - Usbr
- Glory Recreation Area
- Big Oak - Glory Hole Area - New Melones Lake
Fishing spots
Paddle runs
- Confluence With North Fork And Middle Fork Stanislaus To Clark Flat
- Sandbar To Confluence With North Fork Stanislaus River
- Below Mckay's Reservoir To Confluence With Middle Fork Stanislaus River
- One Mile Downstream Of State Park Boundary In Sec 24, T5n, R15e To Mckay's Reservoir
- Calaveras Big Trees State Park Boundary In Sec 24, T5n, R15e To One Mile Downstream Of State Park Boundary In Sec 24, T5n, R15e
- One-Quarter Mile Downstream Of Forest Road 5n75 Bridge Crossing To Calaveras Big Trees State Park Boundary In Sec 24, T5n, R15e
Track Murphys Forebay West 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 Murphys Forebay West
Where does the data for Murphys Forebay West 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 Murphys Forebay West .