Carpenter Wilson dam
Carpenter Wilson
Located in Modoc, California, the Carpenter Wilson dam, also known as Wilson Reservoir, stands as a private entity designed for flood risk reduction along the Cooley Gulch river stream. Completed in 1948, this earth-type dam boasts a height of 21 feet and a length of 985 feet, offering a storage capacity of 93 acre-feet to mitigate potential flooding in the region. Despite its low hazard potential and satisfactory condition assessment, the dam is regulated by the California Department of Water Resources and undergoes regular inspections to ensure its structural integrity.
The dam's primary purpose extends beyond flood risk reduction to include irrigation and water supply for the surrounding area, emphasizing its vital role in managing water resources in Pit River. Situated within the San Francisco District, the Carpenter Wilson dam plays a crucial role in safeguarding the local community against the adverse impacts of extreme weather events, reflecting its importance in the realm of climate resilience and water management. With a history of successful operations and a commitment to regulatory compliance, this dam stands as a testament to effective infrastructure development in the face of changing climate patterns.
As water resource and climate enthusiasts delve into the intricacies of the Carpenter Wilson dam, they uncover a multifaceted structure that not only serves as a flood risk reduction measure but also supports irrigation and water supply needs in Modoc, California. With a focus on safety and regulatory oversight, this private-owned dam stands as a resilient infrastructure piece designed to withstand the challenges posed by a changing climate. From its modest height of 21 feet to its impressive storage capacity of 93 acre-feet, the Carpenter Wilson dam exemplifies the intersection of water resource management and climate adaptation in the region, making it a noteworthy asset in the broader context of sustainable infrastructure development.
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 Carpenter Wilson -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Pit R Nr Canby Ca | 2 cfs | → |
| Sf Pit R Nr Likely Ca | 119 cfs | → |
| Pit R Bl Pit No 1 Ph Nr Fall River Mills Ca | 1,270 cfs | → |
| Burney C A Burney Falls Nr Burney Ca | 168 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Carpenter Wilson.
Boat launches
- Duncan South Boating Site
- Duncan North Boating Site
- Big Sage Road Modoc County
- Logan Slough Boating Site
Campgrounds
- Howards Gulch
- Howard's Gulch Campground
- Upper Rush Creek
- Lower Rush Creek Campground
- Lower Rush Creek
- Cottonwood Flat
Fishing spots
Paddle runs
- Sally's Camp To Confluence With Willow Creek
- Upper Pit River Canyon
- Begins Near Muck Valley To Ends Two Miles From The Fall River Valley
- Wilcox Spring To Clear Lake National Wildlife Refuge Boundary
- Lower Horse Creek Canyon
- Begins 2.5 Miles West Of Little Valley, California To Juncture With The Pit River.
Track Carpenter Wilson 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 Carpenter Wilson
Where does the data for Carpenter Wilson 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 Carpenter Wilson.