Rock Creek dam
Rock Creek
Rock Creek, also known as Chiquita Lake, is a private dam located in El Dorado County, California. Completed in 1932 with a height of 35 feet and a storage capacity of 34 acre-feet, this earth-type structure primarily serves the purpose of flood risk reduction. The dam is regulated and inspected by the California Department of Water Resources (DWR) and complies with state permitting and enforcement requirements.
Situated in Coloma, Rock Creek dam has a low hazard potential and is deemed to be in satisfactory condition as of the last assessment in September 2017. With a drainage area of 0.54 square miles and a surface area of 3 acres, the dam plays a crucial role in managing water resources in the region. While the structure has not undergone significant modifications in recent years, it is subject to regular inspections to ensure its continued safety and reliability for flood risk reduction, irrigation, tailings, and water supply purposes.
Managed by a private owner, Rock Creek dam contributes to the overall water management efforts in the area, safeguarding against potential flooding events and supporting various water-related activities. With its strategic location and regulatory oversight by the state of California, the dam serves as a key asset in maintaining water security and resilience in the region, showcasing the importance of effective dam management in the face of changing climate conditions and increasing water demands.
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 Rock Creek -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Pilot C Bl Mutton Canyon Nr Georgetown Ca | 2 cfs | → |
| Pilot C Ab Stumpy Meadows Res Ca | 3 cfs | → |
| Nf American R A North Fork Dam Ca | 773 cfs | → |
| Deer C Nr Cameron Park Ca | 8 cfs | → |
| Blackwood C Nr Tahoe City Ca | 87 cfs | → |
| Ward C At Hwy 89 Nr Tahoe Pines Ca | 53 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Rock Creek.
Boat launches
- Oxbow Raft Put-In Site
- Poho Ridge El Dorado County
- Forebay Road El Dorado County
- Rock Creek Road El Dorado County
- Iowa Hill Road Placer County
- River Trail El Dorado County
Campgrounds
- Dru Barner Campground
- Dru Barner
- Ponderosa Cove
- Ponderosa Cove Group Campground
- Georgetown Airport Campground
- Stumpy Meadows Campground
Fishing spots
Track Rock Creek 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 Rock Creek
Where does the data for Rock Creek 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 Rock Creek.