Hamilton dam
Hamilton
Hamilton in Glenn County, California, is a private dam primarily designed for water supply purposes, including irrigation. Constructed in 1967, this earth-type dam stands at a height of 28 feet with a hydraulic height of 24 feet, containing a storage capacity of 111 acre-feet. Situated on Tr Watson Creek, Hamilton plays a crucial role in water resource management in the region, serving as a significant asset for the surrounding communities.
Managed by the California Department of Water Resources (DWR) and regulated by the Safety of Dams agency, Hamilton is subject to state jurisdiction, permitting, inspection, and enforcement. With a fair condition assessment as of November 2019, this dam poses a significant hazard potential, requiring a thorough risk management approach to ensure the safety and integrity of the structure. John Garamendi (D) represents the area in Congress, overseeing the federal involvement through agencies like the Natural Resources Conservation Service.
As a key component of the water infrastructure in Glenn County, Hamilton's importance lies in its role in providing reliable water supply for irrigation and other purposes. With its proximity to San Francisco District and its critical location on Tr Watson Creek, Hamilton stands as a vital resource for water resource and climate enthusiasts seeking to understand the impact of dams on water management and conservation efforts in California.
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 Hamilton -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Elder C Nr Paskenta Ca | 27 cfs | → |
| Nf Cache C A Hough Spring Nr Clearlake Oaks Ca | 31 cfs | → |
| Mill C Nr Los Molinos Ca | 248 cfs | → |
| Deer C Nr Vina Ca | 214 cfs | → |
| Mf Eel R Nr Dos Rios Ca | 192 cfs | → |
| Nf Cache C Nr Clearlake Oaks Ca | 236 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Hamilton.
Campgrounds
- Grimy Gulch - Stony Gorge Reservoir - Usbr
- Orland Buttes - Black Butte Lake
- Buckhorn - Black Butte Lake
- Brownell Camp
- Board Tree Campground
- Plaskett Meadows
Fishing spots
Paddle runs
- Road 24n01 Crossing At The "Slab" To Nf Boundary
- Private Land In Sec 1, T21n, R9w To Confluence Of Cold Creek And Black Butte River
- Headwaters In Sec 28, T18n, R8w To One-Third Mile Beyond Snow Mt. Wilderness Boundary At Private Property Boundary Near Paradise Creek
- Elk Creek
- South Fork Cottonwood Creek
More reservoirs
Track Hamilton 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 Hamilton
Where does the data for Hamilton 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 Significant 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 Hamilton.