Vermilion Valley dam
Vermilion Valley
Vermilion Valley, also known as Edison Lake, is a private hydroelectric facility located in Fresno, California, along the picturesque Mono Creek. Built by Bechtel and completed in 1954, this earth dam stands at 165 feet tall and stretches over 4,200 feet long, with a storage capacity of 140,000 acre-feet. With a normal storage level of 125,035 acre-feet and a maximum discharge capacity of 18,800 cubic feet per second, this dam plays a crucial role in water resource management and power generation in the region.
Managed by the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission, Vermilion Valley's spillway system is of the controlled type, with one Tainter radial gate for water release. The dam's hazard potential is classified as high, with a risk assessment rating of very high. Despite its age, the dam's condition assessment is currently not available, and its Emergency Action Plan (EAP) status is also pending updates. As a key player in California's water infrastructure, Vermilion Valley serves as a vital asset for both water resource and climate enthusiasts interested in the sustainable management of our natural resources.
With its strategic location in the Sacramento District and its crucial role in water storage and power generation, Vermilion Valley stands as a testament to human ingenuity in harnessing the power of nature for the greater good. As a private facility under state regulation, this dam represents the intersection of technology, environmental stewardship, and public safety. For enthusiasts passionate about water resources and climate resilience, Vermilion Valley offers a fascinating case study in the complexities of managing and maintaining vital infrastructure in the face of changing climatic conditions and regulatory 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 Vermilion Valley -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Mf San Joaquin R Nr Mammoth Lakes Ca | 595 cfs | → |
| Hot C A Flume Nr Mammoth Lakes Ca | 65 cfs | → |
| Deadman C A Big Springs Nr Crestview Ca | 37 cfs | → |
| Nf Willow C Nr Sugar Pine Ca | 416 cfs | → |
| Big C Div Nr Fish Camp Ca | 0 cfs | → |
| Merced R A Happy Isles Bridge Nr Yosemite Ca | 1,730 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Vermilion Valley.
Boat launches
- Lake Edison Boating Site
- Florence Lake Boating Site
- Florence Lake Campground
- Huntington Boat Ramp & Launching Site
- Mammoth Pool Rd, California
- Gull Meadows Car Top Boat Launch
Campgrounds
- Mono Creek Overflow Campground
- Mono Creek Campground
- Vermillion
- Vermillion Campground
- Mono Hot Springs Campground
- Mono Hot Springs
Fishing spots
Track Vermilion 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 Vermilion Valley
Where does the data for Vermilion 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 Vermilion Valley.