Rubicon Main dam
Rubicon Main
Rubicon Main is a hydroelectric dam located in El Dorado County, California, along the Feather River. Built in 1963, this concrete gravity dam stands at 35 feet tall and spans 644 feet in length, with a storage capacity of 1439 acre-feet. Managed by a public utility, the dam's primary purpose is hydroelectric power generation, with additional recreational benefits for the surrounding area.
The dam is regulated by the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission and the California Department of Water Resources, ensuring regular inspections and enforcement of safety measures. Despite its low hazard potential, a moderate risk assessment has been assigned to the dam, indicating a level 3 risk. Emergency action plans are in place, with the last revision in December 2020, to mitigate any potential risks associated with the dam's operation.
With a maximum discharge capacity of 39,000 cubic feet per second and an uncontrolled spillway, Rubicon Main plays a crucial role in water resource management and renewable energy production in the region. Its location in Folsom, California, and its proximity to San Francisco District of the US Army Corps of Engineers make it a vital piece of infrastructure for water supply and climate adaptation efforts in the area.
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 Rubicon Main -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| General C Nr Meeks Bay Ca | 16 cfs | → |
| Blackwood C Nr Tahoe City Ca | 87 cfs | → |
| Ward C At Hwy 89 Nr Tahoe Pines Ca | 53 cfs | → |
| Truckee R A Tahoe City Ca | 352 cfs | → |
| Up Truckee R A South Lake Tahoe Ca | 213 cfs | → |
| Trout C Nr Tahoe Valley Ca | 52 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Rubicon Main .
Boat launches
- Ice House Road El Dorado County
- Dry Lakes Trail El Dorado County
- Mosquito Ridge Rd, California
- Junction Boat Ramp Road El Dorado County
- Cave Rock Boat Launch Douglas County
- Lakeshore Boulevard , 89452 Nevada
Campgrounds
- Pleasant Campground
- Pleasant Dispersed
- Northshore
- Red Fir Group Campground
- Loon Lake Campground
- Loon Lake Group Campground
Fishing spots
Track Rubicon Main 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 Rubicon Main
Where does the data for Rubicon Main 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 Rubicon Main .